IRLF 


B    2    flSM 


'BIRKIIEY 
.IBRARY 

MIVWSITY   OF 
CALIFORNIA 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


GIFT  OF 

FUNDA9AO 
CALOUSTE  GULBENKIAN 


ROMANCE  OF  MISSIONS. 


The  Publishers  of  this  Volume  will  issue  shortly,  i 
the  same  Author, 

Ministering-  "Women ;  or,  LOVING  COUNSELS  TO 
CHRISTIAN  WORKERS,  alno 

Cups  of  Consolation,  and  CRUMBS  OF  COMFORT 
FOR  CHRIST'S  LITTLE  CHILDREN, 


ANSON  D.  F.  RANDOLPH  &  COMPANY, 

770  BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK. 


THE 


ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS: 


OR, 


INSIDE  VIEWS  OF  LIFE  AND  LABOR, 


LAND   OF  ARARAT. 


BY 


MARIA    A.    WEST, 

MISSIONARY  OF  THE  AMERICAN  BOARD  IN  TURKEY, 
AUTHOR  OF  "KEY  TO  OPEN  THE  BIBLE,"  AND  " LOVING  COUNSELS  FOR  THE  CHRIS 
TIAN  WOMEN  OF  TURKEY,"  (IN  THE  ARMENIAN  LANGUAGE.) 


WITH  AN 

INTRODUCTION  BY  MRS.  CHARLES, 

AUTHOR   OF 

THE    SCHONBERG-COTTA    C  H  R  O  N  I  C  L  E  S,"  ETC.,  ETC. 


NEW  YORK: 
ANSON    D.    F.    RANDOLPH    &    COMPANY, 

770     BROADWAY. 


COPYRIGHT,    1875,    BY 

ANSON  D.  F.  RANDOLPH  &  Co. 


ROBERT     RUTTER, 

BINDER, 
84    SEEK. MAN    STREET,  N.  Y. 


EDWARD    O.  JENKINS, 
RlXTKR    A\I)    KTi-:iiKnTYl'ERt 
20  NORTH  WILLIAM  ST.,  N.  Y. 


ij  (73/40 
W5 
5 


TO 

THE    MINISTERING    WOMEN 

OF 

AMERICA   AND   ENGLAND, 

WHO,  LIKE  THE  MARYS  AND  MARTHAS,  THE  JOANNAS  AND 
SUSANNAS  OF  OLD, 

FOLLOW  IN  THE  FOOTSTEPS  OF  THE  MASTER, 

u  MINISTERING  TO  HIM  OF  THEIR  SUBSTANCE,"  IN  PALACE  BEAU 

TIFUL,  OR  IN  LOWLY  COTTAGE,  IN  "EVERY  CITY  AND 

VILLAGE"  WHERE  HE,  IN  THE  PERSON  OF  HIS 

DISCIPLES,  IS  "  PREACHING  AND  SHOWING 

THE  GLAD  TIDINGS  OF  THE  KING 

DOM  OF  GOD," 

AND    ESPECIALLY  TO    MY    BELOVED    FRIEND 

MRS.   CHRISTOPHER    R  .    ROBERT, 

OF  NEW   YORK, 

\*HO,  FOR  TEN  YEARS,  VOLUNTARILY  AND  GENEROUSLY  DEFRAYED 

THE  EXPENSES  OF   MY  MISSIONARY  LIFE,  AVOIDING  ALL 

PUBLIC  ACKNOWLEDGMENT,  AND  ONLY  STIPULAT 

ING  THAT  I  SHOULD   REST,  WHEN  WORN 

AND  WEARY, 

THESE     SKETCHES 

ARE 

LOVINGLY    INSCRIBED. 


2231 


INTRODUCTION 


BY   THE   AUTHOR   OF   THE 


SCHONBERG-COTTA    CHRONICLES. 


Miss  WEST  has  asked  me  to  write  an  introduction 
to  this  record  of  missionary  life  and  work  in  the 
East. 

If  her  written  words  touch  hearts  in  America,  as  I 
have  seen  her  spoken  words  move  educated  women 
among  us,  and  a  company  of  poor  mothers  in  the 
East  of  London,  they  will  need  no  introduction  from 
any  one. 

But  a  few  words  of  most  reverent  and  affectionate 
sympathy  with  the  noble  Christian  work  of  American 
missionaries  in  the  East,  I  feel  it  a  delight  and  an 
honor  to  have  an  opportunity  of  giving. 

I  have  seen  and  known  American  men  and  women 
devoted  to  those  Oriental  missions,  who  seemed  to 

me  to  come  as  near  to  the  first  type  and  the  last  ideal 

(7) 


8  INTRODUCTION. 


of  Christian  life  as  any  I  liope  to  know ;  lives  laid 
down  for  the  Master  and  the  brethren  with  such  entire 
consecration,  and  simplicity,  and  joy,  that  when,  at 
last,  from  one  of  these,'*  the  life  was  demanded,  and 
laid  down  in  death,  w^e  felt  it  was  scarcely  a  fresh 
sacrifice,  but  merely  the  natural  fulfilment  of  all  that 
had  gone  before.  Their  motto  might  have  been, 
from  one  of  the  finest  of  our  Collects,  "That  so  they, 
being  ready  in  body  and  soul,  might  cheerfully  accomplish 
all  that  Thou  ivouldcst  have  done."  1 1  was  to  no  m  ere  con 
troversy  with  external  error  that  these  lives  were 
devoted.  It  was  to  a  penetration  of  dead  words  and 
dead  forms  with  new  life.  It  was  to  a  piercing  of 
consciences  and  kindling  of  hearts.  It  was  to  a  bring 
ing  home  of  the  lost  and  bewildered  sheep — not  into 
one  human  fold  or  another — but  to  the  Shepherd  of 
all  the  Flock  of  God,  to  the  One  Shepherd  of  the 
One  Flock  in  heaven  and  earth. 

May  the  record  of  such  work  in  these  pages,  do 
as  much  for  bewildered  hearts  which  need  it  as  much, 
in  America  and  in  England. 


*  Rev.  Augustus  Walker,  of  Diarbekir,  Mesopotamia. 


PREFATORY    NOTE. 


[FTER  various  futile  attempts,  and  in  spite  of  the  dis 
tractions  and  diversions  occasioned  by  travel,  mis 
sionary  work  at  home,  and  a  long-continued  search 
for  lost  vitality,  this  work — which  was  long  urged  upon  me  by 
friends  abroad,  as  also  in  my  own  country — is  now  an  accom 
plished  fact. 

As  regards  its  aim  and  scope,  it  will  speak  for  itself.  Had 
it  been  my  own  work  simply,  to  be  portrayed  in  this  volume, 
it  would  never  have  seen  the  light  ! 

Should  any  be  disposed  to  complain  of  a  lack  of  ground 
work  in  dates  and  statistics,  I  would  with  pleasure  refer  them 
for  the  same  to  a  recent  and  valuable  work  on  the  "Armenian 
Mission,"  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Anderson,  former  Secretary  of  the 
American  Board.  It  may,  however,  be  well  to  state,  in  this 
connection,  that  my  missionary  life  was  commenced  in  Con 
stantinople,  on  the  last  day  of  January,  1853,  when  the  dew  of 
youth  yet  "lay  upon  my  tabernacle,"  and  the  "world  was  all 
before  me  where  to  choose  :  " — that  I  did  not  offer  my  services 
to  the  Board,  but  was  called  to  a  work  for  which  I  felt  unfitted, 
which  1  had  never  anticipated,  and  would  never  have  dared  to 
enter  without  hearing  the  Divine  Command  and  Commission. 
And  here  I  may  quote,  as  my  own  experience,  the  testimony 
of  Florence  Nightingale  respecting  herself:  "If  I  could  give 

(ix) 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


you  information  of  my  life,  it  would  be  to  show  how  a  woman 
of  very  ordinary  ability  has  been  )ed  by  God  in  strange  and 
unaccustomed  paths,  to  do  iti  His  service,  what  He  Jias  done  in 
Jier.  And,  if  I  could  tell  you  all,  you  would  see  how  GOD 
HAS  DONE  ALT,,  and  1  nothing.  I  have  worked  hard,  very 
hard,  that  is  all ;  and  I  HAVE  NEVER  REFUSED  GOD  ANY 
THING  !"  .  .  .  And  now,  in  the  prime  of  life,  with  re 
newed  vigor  (after  five  years  of  reluctant  tarrying  in  the  land 
of  my  fathers),  I  anticipate  another  campaign  of  missionary 
service,  of  my  own  free  choice,  as  the  grandest,  the  most  en 
nobling,  and  inspiring  ministry  to  which  God  has  admitted  the 
fellowship  of  man  ! 

When  the  proposition  to  prepare  these  narratives  for  the 
press  was  first  made,  an  almost  insurmountable  obstacle  pre 
sented  itself  in  the  fear  that  such  publicity,  if  known  to  our 
Armenian  converts,  might  seriously  mar  the  simplicity  of  their 
Christian  character.  This  evil  I  have  endeavored  to  obviate 
by  changing  the  names  of  persons  now  living,  whose  history  is 
briefly  sketched  in  these  pages.  And  I  may  add,  that  the 
pictures  are  not  intentionally  embellished  ;  it  has  been  my  aim 
to  adhere,  faithfully,  to  the  original  in  each  portraiture,  giving 
the  very  words  employed  by  individuals,  and  truthfully  stating 
both  sides,  so  far  as  known. 

Some  of  the  specimens  of  Christian  manhood  and  woman 
hood,  shown  as  the  result  of  only  a  few  years  of  culture,  remind 
one  of  the  noble  fruits  produced  by  the  virgin  soil  of  California. 
And  yet  they  are  none  the  less  the  genuine  outcome  of  a 
PRACTICAL  CHRISTIANITY,  which  everyone  who  bears  the 
Christian  name  should  show,  as  the  evidence  of  being  "rooted 
and  grounded  in  Christ."  If  Christian  culture  were  made  as 
prominent  and  as  thorough  at  home  as  in  some  favored  por- 


PREFATORY   NOTE. 


tions  of  the  foreign  soil,  perhaps  there  would  be  fewer  barren 
trees  in  the  Vineyard  of  the  Lord  ! 

I  cannot  close  this  allusion  to  home-husbandry  and  home- 
piety  without  a  word  of  grateful  acknowledgment  to  those 
warm-hearted,  large-souled  Christian  "  fathers  and  mothers, 
brothers  and  sisters,"  in  whose  homes,  and  by  whose  encour 
agement  and  sympathy,  this  work  has  been  wrought  out.  Nor 
can  I  forget  the  friends  of  Christ  in  England  and  Scotland, 
who,  when  I  was  too  exhausted  to  reach  my  native  shores, 
and  sadly  needing  the  ministry  of  love,  received  the  "American 
Missionary"  as  one  of  their  very  own,  in  many  a  home  of  the 
rarest  refinement,  culture,  and  elegance,  and  by  many  a  cheer 
ful  fireside  whose  memory  still  warms  my  heart ! 

The  abiding  hope  that  the  Master  would  use  this  offspring 
of  much  prayer  and  faith  to  advance  His  own  Cause  and 
Kingdom  in  the  earth, — and  thus  redeem  the  years  which,  after 
,1  life  of  such  active  service,  seemed  running  to  waste, — has  made 
the  otherwise  tedious  and  toilsome  work  of  preparation  a 
health-giving,  soul  inspiring  labor  of  love  !  And  to  Him,  by 
whose  aid  alone  it  has  been  completed,  I  now  commit  it,  with 
humble  confidence  that  He  will  "prosper  it  in  that  whereunto 
it  is  sent."  M.  A  \V. 


CONTENTS. 


I.— BARDEZAG 3 

II.— ADABAZAR  .       . 33 

III.— NICOMEDIA 107 

IV.— CONSTANTINOPLE 157 

V.— HASSKEUY 161 

VI. — THE  TRAINING-SCHOOL     .       ..       .       .       .       .179 

VII.— TRANSFERRED     . 222 

VIII.— THE  END     .       ,       .       •      '.     .,       *       .       .  245 
IX. — REGIONS  BEYOND       .       .       .       .       .       .       .264 

X.— HARPOOT     ....'.*...  370 

XI. — EDEN    ...........  404 

XII. — DlARBEKIR 488 

XIII.— SOWING  AND  REAPING  IN  ARMENIA         .       .       .554 

(13) 


li  BUT  THE  LORD  SAID  UNTO  ME,  SAY  NOT,  « I  AM 

A  CHILD  ;'  FOR  THOU  SHALT  GO  TO  ALL  THAT  I  SHALL 
SEND  THEE,  AND  WHATSOEVER  I  COMMAND  THEE, 
THOU  SHALT  SPEAK :"  "  FOR  GOD  HATH  CHOSEN 
THE  FOOLISH  THINGS  OF  THE  WORLD  TO  CONFOUND 
THE  WISE;  AND  GOD  HATH  CHOSEN  THE  WEAK 
THINGS  OF  THE  WORLD  TO  CONFOUND  THE  THINGS 
WHICH  ARE  MIGHTY;  AND  BASE  THINGS  OF  THE 
WORLD,  AND  THINGS  WHICH  ARE  DESPISED,  HATH 
GOD  CHOSEN,  YEA,  AND  THINGS  WHICH  ARE  NOT,  TO 
BRING  TO  NOUGHT  THINGS  THAT  ARE:  THAT  NO 
FLESH  SHOULD  GLORY  IN  HlS  PRESENCE." 


THE 

ROMANCE  OF  MISSIONS, 


CHAPTER    I. 

BARDEZAG. 


,"  said  young  preacher  Hohannes,  as  he 
seated  himself  on  the  divan  by  my  side,  "  I  have 
come  to  talk  with  you  about  a  very  important 
matter.  You  see  how  much  work  there  is  to  be  done  for 
the  women  of  this  village;  and  according  to  the  customs  of 
our  country,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  go  out  and  in  among 
the  families,  and  labor  as  you  have  done,  during  the  weeks 
of  your  stay  among  us.  None  but  a  woman  can  do  it  ;  and 
therefore  I  wish  you  to  give  me  Iskoohi,  to  be  my  help-mate 
in  work  for  Christ." 

The  proposition  was  a  great  surprise,  and  I  answered  the 
young  man  with  a  decided  negative  :  "  Iskoohi  is  my  assist 
ant  in  the  school  at  Constantinople  ;  she  has  been  carefully 
trained  for  her  work,  and  there  is  no  one  else  of  her  maturity 
of  character,  and  piety,  to  fill  the  place.  I  cannot  spare 
her."  But  my  reply  only  served  to  increase  his  earnestness, 
and  the  young  preacher  urged  his  suit  with  so  much  vigor 

(3) 


THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


and  native  eloquence,  that  I  finally  compromised  by  con 
senting  to  leave  the  decision  with  the  maiden  herself. 

"And  you  will  ask  her  to  be  my  wife?"  Hohannes  said, 
as  he  was  preparing  to  leave,  with  a  very  satisfied  look  on 
his  face.  This  was  new  business  for  me,  and  I  exclaimed  at 
his  presumption  :  "  That  is  asking  too  much,  Hohannes ! 
you  are  trying  to  rob  me,  and  will  take  my  hand  to  per 
form  the  deed!"  "Yes,"  he  replied,  with  a  merry  twinkle 
in  his  eye,  "  I  suppose  that  is  what  you  left  America  for — to 
provide  Christian  wives  for  us  young  preachers  !"  An  argu 
ment  which  could  not  be  gainsayed. 

Calling  Iskoohi  to  my  room,  I  placed  the  matter  before 
her,  in  all  its  bearings.  She  was  sitting  by  the  table,  and  as 
I  proceeded,  rested  her  head  upon  her  hands,  but  made  no 
response.  Very  reluctantly,  I  asked  the  important  question 
— "Wilt  thou  go  with  this  man  ?"  and  waited,  in  siknce,  and 
with  an  anxious  heart,  her  answer.  At  last,  she  softly  whis 
pered,  "  Just  as  you  please. "  The  scale  had  turned  against  me, 
and  Hohannes  had  won.  the  prize !  Then,  lifting  her  blush 
ing  face,  Iskoohi  said,  "  Teacher,  you  know  that  I  am  nine 
teen  years  of  age,  which  is  considered  very  old  in  our  coun 
try.  My  friends  have  long  persecuted  me  because  I  did  not 
marry.  They  say  it  is  a  shame,  and  a  disgrace  to  the  family. 
I  wished  to  give  myself  wholly  to  the  work  of  the  Lord,  as 
you  have  done ;  but  perhaps  I  can  serve  him  in  this  way." 

This  was  the  closing  experience  of  a  few  weeks'  visit,  and 
work  among  the  women,  in  the  village  of  Bardezag — "  little 
garden  " — situated  on  a  sunny  slope  of  one  of  the  mountains 
of  Bithynia,  ten  miles  south  of  Nicomedia,  and  about  sixty 
miles  south-east  of  Constantinople.  It  had  never  occurred 
to  me  that  "  match-making  "  would  be  one  of  the  require- 


I3AKDEZAG.  5 


ments  of  a  missionary  teacher,  in  a  country  where  the 
mothers  arrange  all  the  preliminaries  of  marriage — a  business 
mostly  performed  in  the  public  baths  and  at  church  !  But 
an  abundant  after -experience  brought  more  knowledge,  if 
not  facility,  in  the  novel  task,  until,  greatly  to  my  relief,  the 
young  theologues  were  permitted  to  do  the  courting  for 
themselves !  In  due  time,  Hohannes  and  Iskoohi  were 
united,  and  that  first  experiment  proved  a  complete  success. 

AMOOJA. 

Among  the  most  pleasing  incidents  of  my  visit  to  that 
"  mountain  garden,"  was  an  acquaintance  with  Amooja,  the 
first  Protestant  of  the  place ;  a  noble-looking,  patriarchal 
Armenian,  whose  benign  countenance,  and  long  white  beard 
falling  over  his  breast,  with  head  crowned  by  a  snowy  tur 
ban,  and  flowing  garments  confined  at  the  waist  by  an  ample 
girdle,  made  me  think  that  "  Father  Abraham  "  must  have 
presented  very  much  such  an  appearance.  He  saluted  me 
with  all  the  courtliness  and  polish  which  marks  the  Oriental, 
to  which  was  added  the  warmth  of  a  Christian  heart.  With 
glowing  face,  and  easy  flow  of  words,  he  told  me  in  his  own 
language  the  story  of  his  conversion  to  pure  Christianity  ; 
and  I  listened  with  intense  interest  to  the  thrilling  recital. 
"  You  must  know,  Varzhoohi  (teacher),  that  ours  is  a  purely 
Armenian  village,  of  about  a  thousand  houses.  There  are 
no  Turks  or  Greeks  living  among  us.  As  a  people,  we 
have  little  to  do  with  the  outside  world,  and  we  are  very  much 
devoted  to  our  Church  and  faith.  Some  years  ago,  we  learned 
that  Protestantism  (that,  as  we  supposed,  vile  emanation  from 
Satan)  had  entered  the  city  of  Nicomedia.  The  chief  men 
of  the  place,  of  whom  I  was  one,  bound  themselves  by  an 


THE    ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 


oath  to  keep  it  out  of  our  village,  or,  if  need  be,  to  drive  it 
out  by  the  sword.  But  God  is  stronger  than  Satan,  and 
truth  than  the  strong  man  armed.  My  son-in-law  was  a 
traveling  merchant ;  returning  from  one  of  his  journeys,  he 
brought  a  little  book  which  had  in  some  way  fallen  into  his 
possession.  Not  being  a  reader,  he  gave  me  the  tract,  which 
I  read,  in  ignorance  of  its  source.  It  was  entitled,  '  Light 
of  the  Soul ;'  and,  truly,  it  brought  light  to  my  dark  soul !  I 
saw  myself  a  lost  sinner,  but  I  also  saw  the  Saviour,  who 
came  to  seek  and  save  the  lost,  and  accepted  Him  with  great 
joy.  Then  I  was  sure  that  this  was  from  the  Protestant 
missionaries,  concerning  whom  I  had  believed  so  many  lies. 
Wishing  to  see  how  it  would  affect  another,  I  carried  the 
precious  leaves  to  an  intimate  friend,  who  was  also  a  reader, 
and  he  likewise  accepted  the  truth.  We  were  both  hungry 
for  more  knowledge  of  this  new  way,  and  secretly  sought  an 
interview  with  Pastor  Harooteun  of  Nicomedia.  From  him 
we  obtained  a  copy  of  the  New  Testament,  in  our  spoken 
language  (in  place  of  the  ancient  Armenian  version  used 
in  the  churches).  Finding,  after  a  time,  that  our  visits  to 
him  could  not  be  continued,  we  induced  Pastor  Resur 
rection  to  meet  us  on  the  Sabbath  -  days,  in  caves,  or 
secluded  glens  among  the  mountains,  that  he  might  more 
perfectly  instruct  us  in  the  truth.  And  I,  being  somewhat 
deaf,  used  to  lean  upon  his  breast,  as  did  the  beloved  disci 
ple  upon  the  bosom  of  our  Saviour,  that  I  might  drink  in 
every  word ;  for  I  hungered  and  thirsted  for  the  Bread  and 
the  Water  of  Life  !  After  a  time,  our  friends  suspected  that 
we  were  straying  from  the  fold,  and  came  out  with  sticks  and 
stones  to  find  and  punish  us.  For  this  reason,  we  repeatedly 
changed  our  place  of  meeting.  At  last,  my  conscience  was 


BARDEZAG. 


thoroughly  aroused,  and  I  said  to  my  friend,  '  I  must  come 
out,  and  confess  Christ.  It  is  like  a  fire  shut  up  in  my 
bones  !  I  can  no  longer  keep  silence !  '  '  Very  well,'  he 
replied,  'you  know  what  the  consequence  will  be.'  'I 
know,'  I  answered,  'but  I  can  no  longer  deny  my  Saviour.' 
The  next  day,  I  came  out  boldly  in  the  market-place,  and 
openly  proclaimed  the  fact  that  I  had  become  a  Protestant, 
a  follower  of  Jesus,  rather  than  of  the  Virgin  Mary.  Im 
mediately  the  crowd  set  upon  me  with  stones  and  clubs,  and 
anything  within  reach.  I  fled  to  the  house  of  a  brother-in- 
law,  who  was  one  of  the  head  men  of  the  place,  and  he  said, 
*  I  will  protect  you  this  time,  but  you  must  never  look  to  me 
again,  unless  you  come  back  to  the  Church. 

"  After  various  endeavors  to  induce  me  to  recant,  they  put 
me  in  a  church-office,  the  more  effectually  to  shut  my  mouth. 
This  for  a  time  succeeded,  for  how  could  I  preach  Christ 
when  serving  the  superstitions  of  our  old  Church  ?  But  I  re 
membered  that  the  Master  said,  '  He  that  is  not  with  Me,  is 
against  Me.'  Conscience  spoke  more  loudly  than  ever,  and 
after  a  brief  space,  I  threw  up  the  office,  proclaiming  more 
boldly  than  before  the  truth  of  the  blessed  Gospel ;  and  it 
seemed  very  strange  to  me  that,  whereas  once  when  I,  as  a 
ringleader,  proposed  any  wickedness,  my  companions  would 
clap  me  on  the  shoulder,  and  say,  '  Well  done  !  we  are  with 
you,'  now  they  scorned  to  go  with  me  in  a  good  way.  One 
day,  while  at  work  in  my  vineyard,  the  young  men  banded 
together  and  commenced  stoning  me  violently.  *  Stone 
away  !'  I  said  to  them ;  *  I  deserve  it,  for  I  denied  my  Saviour ; 
but  know  that  these  stones  will  become  the  foundation  of  the 
Church  of  Christ  in  this  place !  '  They  left  me  insensible  on 
the  ground,  thinking  me  dead ;  and  when  I  recovered  con- 


8  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


sciousncss,  I  gathered  as  many  of  the  stones  as  I  could 
carry,  and  took  them  to  my  house;  and,  'varzhoohi,'  he 
continued,  while  his  eyes  kindled  with  the  glow  of  his  soul, 
'  I  have  them  now,  and  when  our  chapel  is  built  they  will  be 
placed  in  the  foundation.' ': 

THE   CHAPEL, 

It  was  on  a  Saturday  evening  in  July,  but  a  few  hours 
after  my  arrival  at  the  village  in  the  mountains,  when  I 
listened  to  this  interesting  story.  The  next  morning,  I 
entered  the  rude  place  of  worship  adjoining  the  house  oc 
cupied  by  the  missionary  family  but  recently  stationed  at 
Bardezag,  who  were  newly  learning  the  language.  A  strange 
scene  met  my  gaze  in  that  long,  narrow  room ;  eighty  or  a 
hundred  people  were  seated  upon  the  floor,  which  was  cov 
ered  with  coarse  matting — the  men  on  one  side,  and  the 
women  on  the  other,  with  a  sprinkling  of  children  between. 
Unlike  most  of  their  Eastern  sisters,  these  village  women 
were  unveiled,  their  head  -  dress  resembling  that  of  the 
Greeks.  The  short  jacket,  partly  open  in  front,  and  full 
trowsers  of  blue  cloth  falling  over  the  ankle,  and  confined 
by  a  girdle  at  the  waist,  was  very  similar  to  the  dress 
worn  by  the  men.  Some  of  the  older  women  wore  long 
bib  -  aprons  of  blue  cotton,  covered  with  white  figures  in 
strange  devices,  somewhat  similar  to  Masonic  aprons.  A 
few  of  the  older  men  retained  the  turban,  but  the  larger 
number  wore  the  more  modern  "  fez  "  (a  red  felt  cap  with 
blue  tassel)  for  a  head-covering,  which  was  never  removed 
except  during  prayer.  Many  of  the  young  girls  had  gold  or 
silver  coin,  and  some  even  shells  and  beads  woven  among 


BARDEZAG. 


the  braids  of  their  long  dark  hair,  which  fell  loosely  over 
their  shoulders. 

The  dingy  mud  walls,  and  small  windows,  gave  a  sombre 
look  to  the  place,  which  had  been  enlarged  by  taking  down 
a  partition-wall,  and  throwing  two  small  rooms  into  one — a 
very  common  proceeding  among  missionaries  in  commenc 
ing  their  work  in  a  new  place.  An  "  upper  room  "  is  usually 
secured,  and  when  it  becomes  necessary  to  enlarge  their 
borders,  an  adjoining  apartment  is  taken  in  by  removing  the 
wall ;  as  the  congregation  increases,  another  wall  comes 
down,  till  there  are  no  more  rooms  to  be  thus  appropriated. 
In  Airitab,  where  the  ground-floor  was  used,  the  end  wall 
was  finally  knocked  out,  and,  as  one  of  the  missionaries  said, 
"  All  out-doors  let  in  !  "  And  this  we  call,  "  Church  Exten 
sion  !  "  A  striking  emblem  of  other  "  partition  walls  "  which 
are  also  being  broken  down  by  the  Gospel  of  Love,  and 
vital  union  in  Christ.  "  For  He  is  our  peace,  who  hath 
made  both  one,  and  hath  broken  down  the  middle  wall  of 
partition  between  us." 

The  service  was  conducted  with  much  solemnity  and 
earnestness  by  a  graduate  of  the  Mission  Seminary  at  Con 
stantinople.  When  the  hymn  was  given  out,  the  people 
united  in  singing  with  spirit,  if  not  with  "understanding," 
for  the  tune  was  unlike  anything  I  had  ever  before  heard. 
Such  Turkish  trills  and  quavers,  now  soaring  high  and  quiver 
ing  in  the  upper  air,  till  one  imagined  they  would  lose  them 
selves;  then  suddenly  dropping  to  a  deep,  guttural  base,  with 
a  dead  pause  at  the  end  of  each  line.  After  listening  in 
tently  to  the  singing  of  three  verses,  my  ear  caught  a 
familiar  strain,  and  wonderingly  recognized  "  Old  Hun 
dred." 


10  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


A    WALK   THROUGH   THE    VILLAGE. 

Monday  morning  was  spent  in  surveying  the  place,  and 
calling  upon  some  of  the  Protestant  families  with  my  mis 
sionary  sister,  Mrs.  Parsons.  As  we  passed  through  the  nar 
row  streets  of  the  compactly-built  village,  I  was  struck  with 
the  primitive  life  of  the  people.  Women  and  children  were 
pattering  about  over  the  rough  stones  with  bare  feet,  or  clat 
tering  in  wooden  clogs,  and  most  of  their  household  employ 
ments  seemed  to  be  carried  on  in  the  open  thoroughfare. 
Here  and  there  were  groups  washing,  or  cooking,  over  fires 
built  in  the  middle  of  the  street.  At  one  side,  two  women, 
were  beating  out  flax  with  heavy  flails ;  at  another  corner, 
two  more  were  pounding  grain  for  family  use,  in  the  huge 
stone  mortar  belonging  to  the  village,  each  in  turn  dealing  a 
blow  with  her  ponderous  pestle;  and  the  air  resounded  with 
their  vigorous  strokes.  In  the  door-ways  sat  elderly  matrons 
knitting,  or  busily  plying  the  distaff  and  spindle ;  and,  oc 
casionally,  a  portly  dame  was  occupied  in  bathing  her  own 
portion  of  the  "  rising  generation,"  which  swarmed  at  every 
step.  Sixteen  or  eighteen  children  was  a  not  uncommon 
family  for  a  middle  aged  woman  ;  but  in  every  such  household, 
eight  or  ten — probably  the  weaker  ones — had  died  in  infancy. 

The  people  had  turned  themselves  out  of  the  best  portion 
of  their  mud  dwellings  to  accommodate  the  dainty  silk 
worms  ;  and  in  not  a  few  houses  we  found  persons  prostrate 
with  malarial  fever,  lying  upon  couches  spread  on  the  ground, 
in  dark,  damp  courts  or  passage-ways;  and  the  air  was  heavy 
with  effluvia  from  decaying  vegetable  or  animal  matter. 
Our  progress  was  not  infrequently  interrupted  by  a  fresh 
flood  of  water  emptied  from  washing-troughs,  or  other  de- 


BARDEZAG.  1 1 

posits,  made  in  the  pathways  by  the  busy  housewives  ;  and 
a  gory  stream  which  swelled  the  tide,  betokened  the  recent 
slaughter  of  some  animal  in  the  public  square.  Although 
but  a  day's  journey  from  the  Capital,  very  few  of  these  sim 
ple-minded  villagers  had  ever  traveled  beyond  the  boun 
daries  of  their  mountain  home.  The  product  of  their  fields 
and  flocks,  and  the  labor  of  their  hands  sufficed  for  most  of 
their  few  wants ;  and  their  traffic  with  the  outer  world  was 
usually  carried  on  by  agents,  who  came  at  intervals  to  pur 
chase  their  home  manufactures. 

Knowing  little  of  life  beyond  their  own  sphere,  and  con 
tent  to  jog  on  in  the  "  good  old  ways  of  their  forefathers," 
they  were  wholly  guiltless  of  any  modern  device  to  evade 
the  primal  curse.  Of  "  labor-saving  machines  "  they  had 
never  heard ;  and  the  follies  and  fashions,  the  changes  and 
upheavals  of  the  great  outside  world,  affected  them  no  more 
than  the  angry  roar  and  breaking  waves  of  old  ocean,  the 
rugged  rocks  of  some  island  shore. 

Their  houses,  built  of  mud  and  sticks,  were  mostly  two- 
story,  unplastered  and  unpainted,  with  small  windows  filled 
with  oiled  paper  in  the  winter  season ;  the  furniture  con 
sisting  of  a  low  divan,  a  few  pieces  of  carpeting  or  matting ; 
their  beds  of  wool  or  cotton  piled  up  in  a  corner  during  the 
day,  and  spread  upon  the  floor  at  night,  the  entire  family 
camping  down  in  one  room,  and  all  eating  from  one  dish 
upon  the  wooden  or  copper  tray,  placed  a  little  above  the 
ground.  Trees  were  abundant  and  vegetation  rank, — for 
frequent  rains  fell  among  the  mountains,  when  the  hill-sides 
of  Constantinople  were  parched  and  burning  with  the  sum 
mer  heat,  causing  the  public  fountains  to  fail,  and  creating 
great  distress  among  the  poor. 


12  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


The  people  generally  had  such  a  hearty,  independent, 
satisfied  air,  that  one  could  only  desire  to  infuse  the  spirit  of 
a  pure  Christianity  which  should  leaven  the  whole  mass,  and 
bring  in  its  train  the  blessings  of  a  true  civilization. 

Our  appearance  among  them  excited  not  a  little  curiosity, 
and  many  a  woman  paused  in  her  work,  and  stood  with  arms 
akimbo  as  she  gazed  upon  us,  while  the  children  were  not 
slow  to  manifest  their  sense  of  our  presence  by  noisy  ejacu 
lations,  and  rude  staring,  as  they  gathered  in  our  pathway. 
But  we  were  cordially  greeted  by  the  few  women  belonging 
to  the  Protestant  community,  and  a  number  of  others  prom 
ised  to  come  to  the  meeting  in  the  afternoon. 

THE  MOTHERS'   MEETING, 

At  the  appointed  time,  forty  women  gathered  in  the 
chapel  and  sat  at  my  feet  while  I  read  to  them  the  story  of 
the  woman  of  Samaria,  and  in  simple  language,  as  to  chil 
dren,  tried  to  unfold  the  "  Glad  Tidings  "  of  a  Saviour  for 
poor,  sinful  woman.  The  "  old,  old  story  "  was  new  to  many 
of  them,  and  it  was  touching  to  see  their  interest.  As  one 
and  another  bent  forward  in  her  eagerness  to  catch  every 
word,  the  big  tears  gathered  and  rolled  down  many  a  fur 
rowed  face,  and  dropped,  dropped,  unheeded  on  the  floor. 
And  I  realized  more  fully  than  ever  before,  the  blessedness 
of  the  missionary  work  ;  the  high  honor  and  sacred  privilege 
of  following  in  the  footsteps  of  Him  who  "  came,  not  to  be 
ministered  unto,  but  to  minister."  Suddenly,  one  of  the 
women  burst  out  with  the  question,  "  Varzhoohi,  have  you  a 
mother  ?  "  "  C),  yes  !  a  blessed  mother,"  I  answered-  "  Can 
she  read  ?  "  asked  another.  "  Yes,  indeed ;  she  learned  to 
read  when  only  four  years  old,  and  she  also  writes;  sending 
many  precious  letters  to  her  far-away  daughter."  "But  how 


BARDEZAG.  13 


could  she  give  you  up  to  go  so  far  away  ?  "  was  the  next 
query.  "  Because  she  loves  you  so  much.  She  prays  for 
you  every  day,"  I  said.  "  Now  listen,  and  I  will  tell  you  all 
about  it."  New  interest  lighted  up  some  hitherto  stolid 
countenances  as  I  told  them  of  that  saintly  mother — how 
she  loved  Jesus,  and  trained  her  children  for  Him,  and  found 
in  her  Bible  and  prayer,  blessed  comfort  and  support  in  her 
widowhood,  and  the  loss  of  three  of  her  sons;  that  when 
the  call  came  for  me  to  leave  all  and  go  to  a  strange  country 
in  obedience  to  the  great  command — •"  Go  ye  into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,"  she  said, 
though  with  many  tears,  "  My  child,  I  gave  you  to  God 
in  infancy,  and  if  He  calls  I  cannot  withhold  you.  If  one 
soul  is  saved  through  your  instrumentality,  it  will  repay  me 
for  the  sacrifice  I  make  in  giving  you  up."  This  brief  his 
tory  of  a  mother,  a  woman — like,  and  yet  so  unlike,  them 
selves,  touched  a  chord  which  vibrated  in  the  hearts  of  these 
simple  children  of  nature ;  one  and  another  nodded  to  her 
neighbor,  wonderingly,  as  if  to  say,  "  What  love  is  this  ?  If 
she  so  cares  for  us,  how  ought  we  to  care  for  ourselves." 
And  then,  it  was  easy  and  delightful  to  turn  their  attention 
to  that  greater  Love,  which  spared  not  "  His  only  begotten 
and  well-beloved  Son."  Iskoohi  offered  a  fervent  prayer, 
and  the  meeting  was  closed ;  but  the  women  lingered  and 
gathered  around  me  for  a  few  more  words.  As  they  were 
slowly  leaving,  one  of  the  more  aged  turned  back,  and  throw 
ing  her  arms  around  me,  exclaimed,  "  You  are  an  angel  sent 
from  God  to  teach  us !  "  And  again  I  thanked  God  for  the 
privilege  of  breaking  the  bread  of  life  to  those  starving 
souls.  Ah !  Love  was  the  golden  key  which  had  opened 
those  hearts ;  the  most  potent  force  in  the  universe. 


14  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


THE    SINGING-SCHOOL. 

While  we  were  seated  at  the  tea-table  that  evening,  Mr. 
Parsons  was  called  away,  but  soon  returned  with  smiling 
face,  to  say  that  a  delegation  had  come  from  the  men  to  ask 
if  they  could  be  admitted  to  the  singing-school  appointed  for 
the  women.  That  men  were  willing  to  be  taught  by  &woman 
was  an  unheard-of  thing  in  Turkey,  and  that  women  should 
have  privileges  in  which  their  "  lords  and  masters "  beg 
ged  to  share,  was  indeed  turning  the  tables.  For,  not  con 
tent  with  ordinary  restrictions,  as  sufficient  to  keep  the 
"  weaker  vessel  "  in  her  proper  place,  the  authorities  of  the 
village  had  framed  a  law  like  that  of  the  Medes  and  Persians, 
forbidding  any  woman  to  go  to  Church  till  she  was  the 
mother  of  two  children.  This  request  betokened  a  fresh  rent 
in  the  ancient  walls  of  pride  and  prejudice,  prophetic  of 
their  final  overthrow.  So  we  said  to  the  men,  "  You  may 
come,  if  you  will  behave  as  well  as  the  women."  The  permis 
sion  was  joyfully  received ;  and  a  few  moments  later,  when 
we  stooped  to  pass  through  a  low  door  cut  in  the  mud  wall, 
we  found  a  numerous  company  of  men,  women,  and  children, 
quietly  seated  in  the  chapel,  ready  for  their  first  singing- 
lesson.  After  an  appropriate  prayer,  the  black-board  was 
suspended  and  the  musical  scale  written  upon  it,  while  every 
movement  was  curiously  watched  by  the  crowd.  I  told  them 
that  I  was  going  to  teach  them  the  A  B  C  of  music,  and  soon 
all  were  engaged  in  repeating,  in  concert,  the — to  them — 
strange  syllables,- keeping  time  by  swaying  the  body  back 
and  forth,  as  in  Turkish  schools.  When  the  sounds  were 
given  they  seemed  much  amused ;  but  in  a  moment  or  two, 
were  singing  with  all  their  might,  and  with  much  evident  en- 


BARDEZAG.  1 5 


joyment.  A  little  drilling  on  "  Old  Hundred,"  proved  that 
it  was  far  easier  to  teach  new  methods  than  to  reform  the 
old.  When  it  was  correctly  sung  for  them,  they  saw  the  dif 
ference,  and  one  of  the  men  who  was  spokesman  for  the  rest, 
said,  "  Varzhoohi,  we  have  never  had  any  one  to  teach  us. 
We  have  picked  up  all  we  know  of  Gospel-singing,  second 
hand,  from  some  Protestant  brother  passing  through  the 
place  ;  and  we  shall  be  very  thankful  if  you  will  teach  us." 
A  little  more  of  patient  drilling,  line  by  line,  and  they  sang 
a  verse  of  "  Old  Hundred  "  correctly,  greatly  to  their  de 
light  ;  and  then  commenced  learning  a  new  tune,  of  light, 
rapid  movement,  and  pleasing  melody.  But  we  took  no 
note  of  time,  and  the  evening  was  rapidly  passing,  when, 
during  a  pause  in  the  exercise,  I  heard  one  woman  say  to 
another,  "  We  must  go  home ;  you  know  we  have  had  no  din 
ner."  "What!  did  you  not  eat  before  coming?  "  I  asked, 
knowing  that  the  evening  repast  was  the  principal  meal  of 
the  day,  and  often  the  only  cooked  meal  among  Orientals. 
"  No,"  they  answered,  "  it  was  late  when  we  came  home  from 
the  fields ;  so  we  gave  the  children  a  piece,  and  left  the  din 
ner  stewing  over  the  coals."  "Very  well;  then  of  course 
you  will  go  home."  "  What's  all  this  ?  "  said  some  of  the 
men,  catching  a  few  words  of  the  conversation,  and  approach 
ing  the  corner.  "  We  can  get  dinner  any  day,  but  we  can't 
get  Singing-school ' !  "  So  said  the  majority;  and  while  a  few 
mothers  went  home  with  their  younger  children,  the  rest  re 
mained,  and  sang  away  with  unabated  freshness  and  zeal. 
Their  enthusiasm  was  inspiring.  But  by-and-by,  my  voice 
began  to  show  signs  of  giving  out,  although  the  melodeon 
had  been  brought  in  to  aid  in  guiding  their  vigorous,  but 
untrained  voices.  Mr.  Parsons  looked  at  his  watch,  and 


1 6  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


exclaimed,  "  Do  you  know  it  is  almost  eleven  o'clock !  These 
people  would  stay  till  midnight  if  we  would  let  them  !  " 
So  I  said  to  them,  "  Pavagand  ;  zJiamanagd  doon  yertaloo  " — 
it  is  sufficient ;  it  is  time  to  go  home. — But  no  one  moved. 
"  Why  do  they  not  go  ?  "  I  inquired.  "  O  !  "  said  Mr.  Par 
sons,  with  a  pleased  look,  "  these  Protestants  have  a  way 
of  beginning  and  ending  everything  with  prayer ;  and  they 
are  waiting  for  that."  Preacher  Hohannes  was  asked  to 
close  the  exercises,  and  he  devoutly  gave  thanks  for  the 
privilege  of  learning  to  sing  God's  praises  on  earth  ;  after 
which,  the  people  quickly  dispersed.  Standing  by  the  open 
windows,  we  listened  to  the  echoes  coming  back,  as  the 
various  groups  ascended  the  steep  streets,  singing  all  the 
way  to  their  homes  ;  and  never  did  the  "  Do,  ra,  me,  fa,  sol, 
la,  si,  do,"  sound  so  sweetly.  "  O  !  "  said  sister  Sarah,  "  if 
mother  could  only  have  been  here  this  evening  !  " 

GOSPEL    SOWING  AND  REAPING. 

The  next  morning  we  sallied  forth  again,  to  see  more  of 
the  people  in  their  homes,  that  we  might  the  better  learn  how 
to  adapt  ourselves  to  them  ;  going  first  to  a  Protestant  house. 
The  small  upper  room  was  soon  filled  by  those  who  had  fol 
lowed  us,  and  others  stood  in  the  door-way,  one  head  peer 
ing  over  another.  Our  hostess  was  poor,  having  neither 
cushion  or  divan,  but  she  spread  a  piece  of  carpet  for  us  on 
the  floor,  in  one  corner,  and  brought  the  Bible  and  hymn- 
book.  The  women  were  all  very  attentive  and  quiet,  while 
a  chapter  of  our  Lord's  teaching  was  read  and  explained ; 
looking  through  the  low  window  at  my  side,  I  sa\v  the  neigh 
bors  collected  at  their  open  casements,  and  listening,  across 
the  narrow  street !  The  morning  was  spent  in  this  way — a 


BAUDEZAG.  I/ 


sort  of  "  protracted  meeting  ;  "  the  women  frequently  follow 
ing  us  from  one  house  to  another. 

No  notice  was  given  of  a  meeting  in  the  chapel  for  that 
afternoon,  for  we  had  not  expected  to  hold  one  every  day ; 
but  greatly  to  our  surprise  and  delight,  sixty  women  presented 
themselves  at  the  hour  the  meeting  of  the  day  previous 
had  been  held.  This  state  of  things  continued,  with  in 
creasing  interest,  from  day  to  day,  week  after  week ;  and  yet 
there  was  no  excitement ;  it  was  a  deep,  still  current  which 
bore  us  onward,  out  of  and  beyond  ourselves :  For  "  the 
Spirit  of  God  moved  upon  the  face  of  the  waters." 

One  day,  when  passing  through  the  village  with  Iskoohi — 
who  was  a  welcome  guest  among  the  Protestant  families — 
-we  were  startled  to  hear  Amooja's  clear,  strong  voice  ringing 
like  a  trumpet,  with  no  uncertain  sound,  through  all  the 
thoroughfares  :  "  Come,  all  ye  women  !  Come  to  the  chapel 
and  hear  the  woman-preacher !  "  This  was  a  new  thing  for 
any  country.  Was  it  an  inspiration  ?  There  were  fully  one 
hundred  present  that  afternoon  ;  and  another  day,  when  we 
were  told  that  new  women  were  coming  from  a  distant  quar 
ter,  the  chapel  proved  too  small  for  the  gathering.  Some  sat 
in  the  windows,  and  others  stood  outside,  that  hot  summer 
day,  and  listened,  for  the  first  time,  to  the  Gospel  message. 

What  a  picture  that  company  presented !  All  ages  and 
classes  were  represented ;  there  were  hard,  coarse,  repulsive 
faces,  upon  which  the  soul,  long  given  up  to  the  sway  of  evil 
passions,  had  left  its  photograph ;  others,  worn  with  many 
years  of  burden-bearing,  yet  not  lacking  in  strength  of  char 
acter,  and  a  certain  degree  of  natural  refinement.  There  were 
mothers  with  infants  in  their  arms,  and  children  of  a  larger 
growth  by  their  side ;  and  scattered  among  the  crov/d,  here 


1 8  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


and  there,  were  youthful  brides,  and  young  girls,  whose 
bright  hazel  eyes,  and  blooming  faces,  were  very  pleasant  to 
look  upon.  It  was  such  a  company,  doubtless,  as  Jesus 
often  looked  upon  during  His  ministry  on  earth  :  And  His 
teachings — so  simple,  and  rich  in  illustration — never  seemed 
to  me  so  precious,  as  when  attempting  to  instruct  those  poor, 
ignorant  sisters. 

Putting  myself  in  their  place,  and  telling  the  story  of  the 
cross  in  their  mother-tongue,  it  seemed  clothed  with  wonder 
ful  freshness,  beauty,  and  power.  It  was  almost  like  hearing 
it  for  the  first  time !  verifying  the  promise,  "  He  that  watereth 
shall  be  watered  also  himself."  I  noticed,  on  that  occasion, 
a  large  boy,  who  sat  in  one  corner,  and  seemed  interested. 
Mrs.  Parsons  said  that  he  had  quietly  slipped  into  a  former 
meeting.  I  spoke  to  him,  at  the  close  of  the  exercises,  and 
immediately  the  women  began  to  tell  me  what  a  wicked  boy 
he  was ;  how  he  blasphemed,  and  threw  stones  at  them  on 
the  way  to  the  chapel,  he,  meanwhile,  standing  by,  shrug 
ging  his  shoulders,  but  saying  nothing.  After  a  little  talk 
about  Christ's  coming  to  "  call  sinners,  and  not  the  righteous, 
to  repentance,"  I  told  them  the  story  of  Morrison — after 
wards  missionary  to  China.  The  boy's  face  brightened,  and 
he  promised  to  come  again.  At  another  time,  I  was  talking 
to  the  mothers  about  training  their  children,  and  referred  to 
Hannah,  the  mother  of  Samuel.  "  What's  that  ?  "  asked  one 
of  the  women.  fi  What !  have  you  never  heard  that  beauti 
ful  Bible  story  ?  "  Instantly  everyone  gave  her  head  that 
peculiar  toss,  with  a  negative  elevation  of  the  eyebrows,  and 
audible  touch  of  the  tongue  to  the  roof  of  the  mouth,  so 
common  among  the  Eastern  races.  One  of  the  three  women 
belonging  to  the  Bardezag  (evangelical)  church  of  ten  mem- 


BARDEZAG.  IQ 


bers,  explained  the  reason  of  this  ignorance :  "  Only  three 
or  four  of  us  have  learned  to  read ;  we  have  spelled  out  a 
few  chapters  in  the  New  Testament,  and  that  is  all  we  know." 

These  women  were  quite  young,  and  more  tidy  in  their 
personal  appearance  than  the  others,  and  the  love  existing 
between  them  was  very  marked.  Having  frequently  noticed 
an  infant,  tended  and  caressed  by  each  of  them,  I  finally 
asked  which  was  the  mother.  "  O,  this  is  the  only  little 
one  we  sisters  have  among  us;  and  it  belongs  to  us  all"  was 
the  reply.  The  Protestant  women  frequently  told  me  how 
bitterly  opposed  they  were  at  first;  how,  when  their  hus 
bands  became  Protestants,  they  persecuted  them  in  every 
possible  way,  even  locking  the  doors,  and  keeping  them  out 
of  their  own  homes  for  months. 

After  careful  inquiry,  we  found  but  six  women  who  could 
read,  of  all  the  hundreds  in  that  village.  They  were  taught 
by  two  small  boys  who  attended  the  day-school. 

SINGING   THE  GOSPEL. 

Some  of  the  women,  who  attended  the  afternoon  meetings, 
frequently  begged  for  a  singing-lesson  at  the  close,  because, 
they  said,  their  homes  were  so  far  away,  that  they  could  not 
come  in  the  evening.  The  Friday  evening  lectures,  on 
"Scripture  characters,"  by  preacher  Hohannes,  were  very 
instructive  and  interesting ;  but  when  the  hour  was  finished, 
the  brethren  and  sisters  never  failed  to  petition  for  their 
singing-school ! 

Our  argument,  that  one  meeting  should  certainly  suffice 
for  an  evening,  did  not  satisfy  them.  They  were  "afraid 
they  should  forget  much  that  they  had  learned,  when  the 
teacher  went  away." 


20  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

The  Armenians  somewhat  resemble  the  Germans,  in  their 
fondness  for  music,  and  gospel-singing  is  a  power  in  Turkey  ! 
The  hymns  and  tunes  sung  in  the  fields  and  vineyards  by 
the  Protestants,  are  frequently  caught  by  those  who  are 
strangers  to  the  truth,  and  can  be  reached  in  no  other  way. 
Many  a  poor,  weak  "  brother,"  who  cannot  preach,  can  sing 
for  Jesus  j  and  in  this  simple  way,  saving  truth  is  often  car 
ried,  like  winged  seed,  and  lodged  in  the  clefts  of  hitherto 
cold  and  barren  hearts. 

At  Aintab,  where  the  Sunday-school  work  has  had  unpre 
cedented  success,  with  1,200  adults  and  children  in  regular 
attendance,  at  the  Mission  chapel,  one  of  the  indirect  results 
is  sometimes  seen  in  the  crowded  thoroughfares  of  the  city,  in 
the  shape  of  a  veritable  little  Arab,  all  rags  and  dirt,  sitting 
astride  a  loaded  donkey,  and  singing,  in  Turkish,  at  the  top 
of  his  shrill  voice,  "  I  want  to  be  an  angel !  " 

It  is  interesting  to  recall  the  fact  that  this  delightful  fea 
ture  of  modern  Missionary  work  is  but  the  reproduction  of 
a  custom  which  had  wonderful  power  over  the  early  Chris 
tians.  "  Go  where  you  will,"  says  Jerome,  "  the  ploughman 
at  his  plough  sings  his  joyful  hallelujahs,  the  busy  mower  re 
gales  himself  with  his  psalms,  and  the  vine-dresser  is  singing 
one  of  the  songs  of  David.  Such  are  our  songs — our  love 
songs,  as  they  are  called — the  solace  of  the  shepherd  in  his 
solitude,  and  the  husbandman  in  his  toil."  "  In  their  songs 
of  Zion,  both  old  and  young,  men  and  women,  bore  a  part." 
Such  is  the  testimony  of  Hilary,  A.D.  355.  Ambrose  re 
marks  that  the  injunction  of  the  apostle,  forbidding  women  to 
speak  in  public,  relates  not  to  singing,  "  for  this  is  delightful 
in  every  age,  and  suited  to  every  sex."  And  Chrysostom  says, 
"  The  young  and  the  old,  rich  and  poor,  male  and  female,  bond 


BARDEZAG.  21 


and  free,  all  join  in  one  song.     All  worldly  distinctions  here 
cease,  and  the  whole  congregation  form  one  general  chorus." 

At  a  later  period,  when  the  church  was  fast  losing  its 
characteristic  simplicity  and  purity,  those  rude  and  solemn 
airs,  and  spiritual  hymns,  which  so  stirred  the  hearts  of  the 
people,  and  kept  alive  the  greatest  truths  of  religion,  were 
exchanged  for  "  heathen  melodies,"  concerning  which  device 
of  Satan,  one  of  these  church  fathers  writes,  "  Not  with  the 
voice,  but  with  the  heart,  we  sing  praises  to  God — not  like 
the  comedians  should  they  raise  their  sweet  and  liquid  notes 
to  entertain  the  assembly  with  theatrical  songs  and  melodies 
in  the  church  ;  but  the  fear  of  God,  piety,  and  the  knowledge 
of  the  Scriptures  should  inspire  our  songs.  Then  would  not 
the  voice  of  the  singers,  but  the  utterance  of  the  divine 
word,  expel  the  evil  spirit  from  those  who  like  Saul  are  pos 
sessed  with  it.  But  instead  of  this,  that  same  spirit  is  invited 
rather  to  the  possession  of  those  who  have  converted  the 
house  of  God  into  a  pagan  theatre."  Finally,  the  more  effec 
tually  to  exclude  the  people  from  participation,  the  singing 
was  in  Latin.* 

VENTURING  INTO  THE  ENEMY S  CAMP, 
One  of  the  brethren  who  lived  at  the  extremity  of  the 
village,  surrounded  by  neighbors  hostile  to  the  Protestants, 
was  very  anxious  that  his  wife  should  be  persuaded  to  come  to 
the  chapel,  and  begged  us  to  visit  her.  We  asked  some  of  our 
Protestant  women  to  escort  us,  but  no  one  was  willing  to  go ; 
they  expressed  great  surprise  that  we  should  venture  into 
that  quarter,  saying,  "  You  have  no  idea  how  bitter  they  are 
against  us.  You  will  certainly  be  stoned,  and  very  likely 


*.  Coleman's  Primitive  Church. 


22  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

meet  with  other  abuse !  "  Finally,  seeing  that  "  none  of 
these  things  moved  us,"  they  ceased  trying  to  dissuade  us, 
and  one  of  the  bravest  consented  to  go  also,  though  with 
much  trembling  and  many  fears.  We  found  that  neighbor 
hood  unusually  quiet.  The  "  lions'  mouths  "  were  all  "  shut," 
and  we  went  on  our  way  without  a  single  affront,  greatly  to 
the  astonishment  of  the  good  sister. 

The  mother  of  the  husband  met  us  at  the  door,  on  our 
arrival,  and  received  us  politely  ;  but  it  was  some  time  before 
the  wife  made  her  appearance,  and  then  with  much  apparent 
timidity.  •  For  a  while  she  was  silent,  taking  no  part  in  the 
conversation,  which  was  principally  concerning  household 
matters,  and  the  customs  of  our  respective  countries.  But 
when  we  noticed  the  neatness  of  the  house,  and  praised  the 
finely-spun  skeins  of  silk  suspended  upon  the  walls  of  the 
room  where  we  were  sitting,  our  appreciation  of  her  handi 
work  seemed  to  have  a  mollifying  effect ;  her  face  brightened, 
she  brought  some  still  finer  silk  from  another  room,  and  be 
gan  to  talk,  in  answer  to  our  inquiries.  It  was  evident, 
from  the  appearance  of  the  two,  that  very  amicable  relations 
existed  between  mother-in-law  and  "  bride,"  as  the  Armenians 
call  the  son's  wife.  The  latter  did  not  hesitate  to  speak  in 
the  presence  of  her  mother-in-law,  who,  according  to  Eastern 
custom,  is  the  mistress  of  the  house-  When  the  sons  marry, 
they  bring  their  wives  home,  and  the  mother-in-law  generally 
rules  them  with  a  rod  of  iron.  They  are  not  allowed  to 
speak  in  her  presence  till  she  grants  permission,  which  is 
sometimes  delayed  for  many  years  !  In  some  cases,  the 
mother-in-law  dies  before  lifting  the  heavy  yoke  of  im 
posed  silence.  The  sceptre  is  then  taken  up  by  the  wife  of 
the  eldest  son,  who,  very  likely,  acts  the  part  of  "  Re- 


BARDEZAG.  23 


hoboam,"  as  a  sort  of  compensation  for  her  long  and  bitter 
bondage.  But,  who  shall  say,  henceforth,  that  woman  can 
not  bide  in  silence  ? 

By  degrees,  the  bride's  face  softened,  and  her  manner 
changed  from  the  cold,  formal  stiffness  she  had  at  first  main 
tained,  to  a  genial  warmth.  The  ice  was  at  last  melted,  and 
she  naively  exclaimed,  "  Why,  you  are  just  like  other  people  /  " 
"  Of  course  we  are  ;  what  did  you  suppose  we  were  like  ?  "  I 
laughingly  asked.  "  O  !"  she  replied,  "  I  did  not  know  exactly, 
but  imagined  everything  horrible,  and  feared  that  you  would 
work  some  Satanic  '  spell '  or  '  charm '  over  me,  so  that  I 
would  be  unable  to  resist  your  influence."  We  had  a  hearty 
laugh  over  the  absurd  stories  with  which  her  neighbors  had 
filled  her  ears,  and  she  seemed  satisfied  that  they  were  fabri 
cations,  invented  to  keep  people  away  from  the  Protestants. 
The  "  charm  "  was  Christian  love.  She  gave  us  a  half-prom 
ise  that  she  v,rould  learn  to  read,  and  accompany  her  husband 
to  the  chapel,  to  see  and  hear  for  herself;  and  we  parted 
with  much  cordiality. 

SEED  B  Y  THE   WA  YSIDE. 

Another  day,  two  of  the  Christian  sisters  accompanied  me 
to  the  house  of  a  sick  woman ;  it  was  toward  evening,  and 
after  a  brief  visit,  we  went  to  another  house.  As  usual,  the 
neighbors  began  to  drop  in ;  among  them  were  three  women 
from  a  village  in  the  mountains  beyond,  who  had  come  to 
Bardezag  on  business,  and  happened  to  be  present  during 
our  call  at  the  other  house.  As  they  entered  the  room, 
some  one  said,  "  Why,  we  thought  you  were  in  haste  to  go  to 
your  homes  ?"  "  The  sun  is  still  high,"  they  answered ;  "  we 
will  go  after  a  little."  They  had  evidently  come  to  hear  more 


24  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

of  what  was  new  to  them.  While  I  was  speaking  about  glori 
fying  God  in  all  our  works  and  ways,  one  of  these  women 
interrupted  me  with  the  question,  "  But  how  can  I  glorify 
God,  or  serve  Him,  when  I  must  be  in  the  fields  at  work  all 
day  ?  "  After  explaining,  by  a  simple  story,  that  it  is  the 
spirit  in  which  we  perform  our  daily  tasks,  that  pleases  and 
honors  our  Father  in  heaven,  I  tried,  again,  to  make 
the  way  of  salvation  through  Christ  so  plain  to  these  souls, 
that  if  they  never  heard  more,  it  would  be  sufficient  to  lead 
them  to  Him.  They  were  but  grown-up  children,  like  all 
their  country-women,  unable  to  take  in  much  at  a  time. 

One  truth,  simplified,  and  illustrated  from  every-day  life, 
and  held  up  in  various  aspects,  was  all  that  their  minds 
could  grasp. 

As  the  sun  was  sinking  behind  the  mountains  of  Bithynia, 
those  three  women  wended  their  way  homeward,  carrying 
with  them  the  seeds  of  a  new  life,  whose  results  none  may 
know,  till  the  "  Day  shall  declare  "  all  things.  It  was  work  fit 
for  an  angel's  employ,  but  heavy  with  the  weight  of  eternity. 

Meanwhile,  two  letters  were  received  from  the  Nicomedia 
church,  complaining  that  they  were  passed  by,  like  the  cities 
of  Samaria,  while  their  "  little  sister  "  was  enjoying  such  a 
refreshing  visitation.  They  pleaded  their  claims  of  seniority 
and  superiority,  and  urged  immediate  attention  on  our  part. 

Accordingly,  a  day  was  appointed,  and  I  rode  over  one 
morning,  a  distance  of  ten  miles,  on  horseback,  accompanied 
by  Mr.  Parsons.  An  hour  or  two  was  spent  in  resting,  and 
visiting  with  one  of  the  families,  after  our  arrival,  and  at 
noon,  the  meeting  was  held,  in  the  city  which  was  once  the 
favorite  residence  of  Roman  Emperors.  There  was  a  good 
ly  attendance  of  "  sisters  "  at  the  commodious  chapel,  but 


BARDEZAG.  25 

we  were  obliged  to  deny  admittance  to  a  number  of  the 
"  brethren,"  who  wished  to  come  in  and  listen  to  the  ex 
ercises. 

Although  the  women  were  attentive,  and  seemed  interest 
ed,  I  missed  the  moral  magnetism  which  pervaded  the  atmos 
phere  of  our  gatherings  at  Bardezag.  Perhaps  the  Nico- 
medians  were  already  beginning  to  be  Gospel-hardened ;  or, 
more  likely,  the  Holy  Spirit  was  not  working  in  their  midst, 
as  in  the  village ;  for,  when  God  works,  it  matters  little  how 
feeble  the  instrument  employed  to  gather  in  the  harvest  of 
souls.  Many  invitations  were  pressed  upon  us  by  the  people 
to  stay  and  spend  a  few  days  with  them  ;  but  an  injunction 
had  been  laid  upon  me  by  the  Constantinople  fathers,  "  not 
to  tarry,  even  for  a  night,"  because  of  the  fever  which  pre 
vailed  in  Nicomedia  at  that  season.  So  we  mounted  our 
horses  soon  after  the  meeting  closed,  and  set  forth  on  our 
return,  taking  a  shorter,  but  rougher,  path  over  the  mountains. 
The  day  had  proVed  oppressively  hot,  and  the  wind  blew 
clouds  of  fine  dust  in  our  faces,  a  part  of  the  way  back,  so 
that  we  were  heartily  glad  when  we  reached  the  village,  soon 
after  night-fall.  Twenty  miles  of  horseback-riding  over  the 
mountains,  to  one  unaccustomed  to  that  mode  of  travel,  was 
an  experience  which  I  did  not  care  to  repeat.  The  time 
was  approaching  when  I  must  return  to  Constantinople  to 
prepare  for  the  school-campaign  of  another  year,  after  these 
few  weeks  of  vacation  among  the  mountains,  which,  though 
delightful  and  refreshing  to  the  soul,  had  proved  exhausting 
to  the  "earthen  vessel."  The  house  must  be  opened  and 
put  in  order,  and  the  necessary  stores  laid  in  for  a  family  of 
thirty  or  forty,  besides  a  thousand  other  things  which  con 
sume  the  time  and  strength  of  a  missionary  teacher  and 


26  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


house-keeper.  But  there  yet  remained  a  few  final  visits  to 
be  made  among  the  women  of  Bardezag  who  professed  to 
have  accepted  Christ  as  their  Saviour. 

EXAM  IN  A  TION  OF  WOMEN  FOR  ADMISSION  TO 
THE  CHURCH. 

"  Varzhoohi,  you    know  what  I  want  to  say !    /  do  love 
Jesus,  but  I  have   no  words  to  tell  you  !  "     Tears  coursed 
down  her  pale  face,  and  there  was  a  world  of  meaning  in  the 
look  which  the  humble,  teachable  disciple  cast  upon  me,  as  she 
spoke.     She  had  struggled  in  vain  for  utterance  concerning 
her  religious  experience,  and  finally  gave  up  the  attempt. 
But  I  was  satisfied.     I  felt  sure  that  God  had  set  His  seal 
upon  this  poor  woman  ;  that  she  was  His  "  spirit  child  " — as 
the  Armenians   call   one   who   is   adopted   into   the  family. 
Ignorant  indeed  of  creeds  and  doctrines,  she  could  only  say, 
"  *  I'm  a  poor  sinner,  just  nothing  at  all.     But  Jesus  Christ  is 
my  all  in  all !  '  '      And  who  should  deny  her  a  place  at  His 
table  ?     As  I  looked  around  the  low,  dark,  rickety  old  room, 
and  then  upon  the  miserable  bed  upon  which  she  was  -lying 
on  the   floor,  suffering  with  chills  and  fever,  yet  rejoicing  in 
God  her  Saviour,  I  thought  of  the  "Inheritance  incorrupt 
ible,  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away,  reserved  in  heaven" 
for  her,  if  truly  u  born  of  the  Spirit."     There  were  others  of 
similar  experience   among  the  women  whom  I  had  been  re 
quested  to  examine  for  admission  to  the  "  Evangelical  church 
of  Bardezag."    Their  religious  vocabulary  was  too  meagre  to 
express  all  that  they  really  felt.     But  the  outward  change  in 
their  life  and  character    gave  evidence  of  that  which  was 
"  inward  and  invisible."    To  such  the  Church  must  be  a  NUR 
SERY,  a  training-school^  as,  indeed,  it  should  be  to  all,  for,  how- 


BARDEZAG.  2/ 


ever  wise  in  the  wisdom  of  this  world,  every  new-born  soul  is 
but  a  feeble  infant  in  the  spiritual  kingdom  of  Christ. 

"  I  have  as  good  a  right  to  come  to  the  communion  as  any 
other  body  !  and  truly,  a  better  right  than  some;  for  I  am  a 
reader,  and  my  husband  was  the  first  Protestant,  and  we 
have  suffered  the  loss  of  much  worldly  goods  for  the  cause  !  " 

This  was  said  by  Mariam,  the  wife  of  Amooja,  a  vixen  of 
the  olden  type — a  very  Xantippe — and  for  many  years  a 
thorn  in  the  good  man's  side. 

There  was  no  Christ  in  her  life ;  the  surest  token  of  no 
Christ  in  the  heart :  "  Now  if  any  man  have  not  the  spirit  of 
Christ,  he  is  none  of  His."  Mariam  represented  a  certain  class 
of  Protestants,  not  truly  Christians,  who  still  secretly  held  to 
the  old  belief  in  the  sacrament  as  a  saving  ordinance.  It 
was  a  great  stumbling-block  to  such  persons,  that  their  chil 
dren  coultl  not  be  baptized  till  the  parents  had  been  received 
as  members  of  the  church.  The  old  Armenian  church  is  es 
sentially  Romish  in  its  rites  and  doctrines,  and  Protestants 
who  are  not  truly  "  converted  "  are  very  much  in  the  situa 
tion  of  the  disciples  to  whom  Paul  said,  "  Have  ye  received 
the  Holy  Ghost  since  ye  believed  ?  "  and  they  answered  : 
"We  have  not  so  much  as  heard  whether  there  be  any 
Holy  Ghost !  "  "  For  they  are  not  all  Israel  which  are  of 
Israel ;  "  and  the  "  mixed  multitude  "  that  follows  the  camp 
are  ever  a  source  of  weakness  and  reproach  to  the  true  Isra 
el  ;  like  their  antitypes,  they  often  "  fall  a-lusting  "  for  the 
"flesh  pots  of  Egypt." 

"WORK  FOR   JESUS  EVERYWHERE?' 
It  was  toward  evening,  at  the  conclusion  of  a  round  of 
calls;  and  while  I  was  trying  to  make  Mariam  understand 


28  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

the  spiritual  nature  of  the  preparation  necessary  in  a  "  com 
municant,"  Amooja  came  home.  I  was  glad  of  the  interrup 
tion,  for  his  wife  was  evidently  one  of  those  before  whom  it 
is  useless  to  cast  the  precious  pearls  of  truth. 

The  good  old  man  had  a  delightful  story  to  tell.  His 
countenance  was  radiant  with  some  new  joy  which  he  longed 
to  share  with  Christian  hearts  ;  and  after  the  customary  salu 
tation,  he  seated  himself  on  the  divan,  saying,  "  We  have 
had  a  blessed  time  in  my  vineyard  to-day !  There  are  two 
or  three  young  men  working  in  a  vineyard  adjoining  mine, 
who  for  a  long  time  have  not  ceased  to  torment  me  in  every 
way  they  could  devise — cutting  down  my  vines,  spoiling  my 
trees,  robbing  my  fruit,  throwing  stones,  and  calling  me 
wicked  names.  They  were  greatly  delighted  when  they  finally 
succeeded  in  turning  off  the  stream  by  which  I  irrigated  my 
grounds,  using  the  vilest  language  of  abuse  at  every  remon 
strance.  But  by  the  grace  of  God,  I  was  enabled  to  give 
the  '  soft  answer  that  turneth  away  wrath,'  and  when  they 
reviled,  not  to  revile  again ;  till,  little  by  little,  they  softened, 
and  became  more  respectful ;  and,  this  afternoon,  those  three 
young  men  came  over  the  hedge,  and  sat  down  by  my  side, 
while  I  read  a  chapter  of  God's  Word ;  and  then  we  knelt 
together,  on  the  green  grass,  under  my  mulberry  trees,  and  I 
prayed  !  " 

As  Amooja  finished  the  story,  his  fine  face  fairly  shone 
with  holy  joy ;  he  was  <:  more  than  conqueror,  through 
Christ,"  and  the  unanswerable  logic  of  love  !  After  a  mo 
ment's  pause,  he  said,  "  Ah,  teacher,  there  is  work  every 
where — in  the  fields,  the  vineyards,  the  coffee-shops,  the 
market,  and  by  the  way-side  !  M'ork  for  Jesus  everywhere  '  " 
"  Because  your  eyjs  and  heart  are  ever  open  to  seek  it !  "  I 


BARDEZAG.  2Q 


thought,  and  then  said,  "  Your  people  are  naturally  religious, 
Amooja?  "  "  Yes,"  he  quickly  replied,  "  I  bear  them  record 
that  they  have  a  zeal  of  God,  but  not  according  to  knowl 
edge,"  taking  his  beloved  Testament  from  his  bosom,  and  at 
once  turning  to  Romans  x.  2.  As  he  quoted  those  words  of 
Paul,  I  was  struck  with  his  likeness,  in  character  and  experi 
ence,  to  the  Apostle  to  the  Gentiles  Like  him,  Amooja 
could  say,  in  all  sincerity,  "  I  count  all  things  but  loss  for 
the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord ; 
for  whom  I  have  suffered  the  loss  of  all  things,  and  do  count 
them  but  dung,  that  I  may  win  Christ  and  be  found  in  Him." 

Surely,  one  such  specimen  of  noble  Christian  manhood, 
among  the  Evangelical  Armenians,  should  quicken  the  faith 
and  open  wide  the  purse  of  all  who  pray,  "  Thy  kingdom 
come." 

"  The  happy  life  and  death  of  a  true  Christian  woman  " — 
as  I  had  seen  it — was  the  theme  at  my  last  meeting  with  the 
women. 

The  simple  narrative  of  my  Missionary  sister,  Mrs.  Everett, 
showing  what  the  grace  of  God  could  do  for  every  one  of 
them,  seemed  to  touch  their  hearts.  At  the  close,  they 
gathered  around  me,  saying,  "  O  stay,  and  teach  us  always  /" 
I  told  them  that  I  would  gladly  stay,  but  God  had  given  me 
another  work — that  of  preparing  teachers  for  them,  and  for 
their  sisters  all  over  the  land — and  they  devoutly  invoked 
His  blessing  upon  my  labors.  Before  we  separated,  I  selected 
three  or  four  bright  little  girls  for  our  training-school  at  the 
Capital,  and  told  their  mothers  to  save  them  for  me,  and  not 
allow  them  to  be  betrothed,  or  married — as  is  the  custom,  at 
a  very  early  age.  We  rapidly  reviewed  the  weeks  so  pleasantly 
spent  together  —  the  morning  visitations  from  house  to 


30  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


house ;  the  afternoon  meetings ;  and  the  evening  singing- 
lessons —  with  all  their  opportunities  for  learning  how  to 
serve  and  glorify  God,  and  looking  to  future  results,  in  time 
and  eternity.  Very  grateful  and  loving  words  were  spoken 
by  the  simple-hearted  sisters,  as  they  lingered  long,  reluctant 
to  speak  the  final  farewell. 

A  heavy  rain  had  fallen  a  few  days  previous,  over  which 
the  people  rejoiced — "  because  it  would  prolong  the  teacher's 
stay  " — and  yet  no  storm  was  so  severe  as  to  keep  them  from 
the  place  of  prayer.  One  day,  when  we  did  not  expect  any 
one,  the  women  had  come  in  almost  the  usual  number, 
through  the  pouring  rain,  unprotected  by  the  modern 
"water-proof"  or  even  umbrellas,  in  most  cases! 

A   PARTING    VIEW. 

It  did  my  heart  good  to  see  the  earnest,  honest  faces  of 
the  "  brethren,"  as  they  gathered  for  the  good-bye.  I  had 
been  impressed  with  the  strong  religious  element  in  their 
characters,  during  the  weeks  of  our  constant  intercourse ;  I 
saw  how  godliness  quickened  and  developed  all  that  was 
good  and  noble  in  their  manhood,  causing  them  to  realize  in 
some  degree  the  possibilities  of  their  higher  nature.  They 
must  have  felt  themselves  growing  !  It  was  beautiful  to  see 
the  members  of  that  little  church,  standing,  shoulder  to 
shoulder,  mutual  burden-bearers  and  care-takers  in  their 
youthful  Zion  !  It  was  said  of  them,  by  outsiders,  as  of  the 
disciples  of  old,  "  See  how  these  brethren  love  one  another !  " 
Their  appreciation  of  the  Bible — that,  to  them,  most  wonder 
ful  Book — was  delightful  to  witness ;  it  was  their  strength 
and  refreshment  by  day  and  comfort  by  night ;  a  constant 
companion  in  all  their  goings  out  and  comings  in. 


BARDEZAG.  31 


Their  evenings,  especially  in  winter,  were  spent  in  "  search 
ing  the  Scriptures ;  "  often  meeting  in  companies  for  this 
purpose,  and  sometimes  holding  discussions  with  those  who 
still  clung  to  the  traditions  of  the  old  Armenian  Church. 

Flattery  is  a  common  commodity  among  Orientals ;  and  the 
ease  with  which  the  lachrymal  fountains  overflow — when  it 
suits  their  purpose — inclines  one  to  be  suspicious  of  any 
superfluous  demonstration.  But  the  childlike  simplicity  of 
these  hearty  mountaineers  left  no  room  to  doubt  their  sin 
cerity.  They  had  sought  only  the  best — spiritual  gifts  and 
teachings ;  and  their  warm-hearted  expressions  of  gratitude, 
and  Christian  affection  for  the  labors  of  the  past  few  weeks 
were  prized  as  coming  from  the  heart.  Surely,  the  Mission 
ary  brother  and  sister  whose  lot  was  cast  among  them,  might 
have  said,  with  the  Psalmist,  "We  have  a  goodly  heritage." 
And  yet  how  few  of  those  who  dwell  in  "  ceiled  houses  "  at 
home,  would  be  willing  to  live  in  that  poor,  uncomfortable 
mud-dwelling, — with  the  little  study  and  kitchen  both  next 
the  stable,  opening  from  the  dark,  damp  passage  upon  the 
uneven  ground ;  and  great  cracks  in  the  floors  above,  reveal 
ing  all  the  family  life ;  surrounded  by  an  atmosphere  often 
so  impure  and  stifling  at  night,  that  refreshing  sleep  was 
sought  in  vain,  and  windows  must  be  closed  to  keep  out  the 
offensive  and  poisonous  effluvia.  Ah  !  there  are  slow  martyr 
doms  in  the  nineteenth  century  that  cost  infinitely  more  suf 
fering  than  the  short  pang,  and  quick  transition  to  heaven, 
by  the  stake  or  the  executioner's  block !  But  who  that 
loves  Christ,  would  not  count  it  all  joy  to  break  the  bread  of 
life  to  such  a  people  ?  and  "  willingly  spend  and  be  spent  " 
for  them  ? 

Pacing  slowly  down  the  mountain  side,  and  over  the  ver- 


32  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

dant  plain  to  the  sea,  through  thickets  of  wild  rose  and  shrub- 
oak,  I  turned  my  horse  to  look  once  more  upon  the  place 
which  had  become  so  dear  to  my  heart.  A  beautiful  picture 
was  spread  out  before  me,  tinted  by  the  morning  sun,  in 
luxuriant  vineyards,  groves  of  mulberry,  and  fields  of  richest 
verdure,  framed  by  a  range  of  mountains  sweeping  around 
them,  till  they  met  the  bright  blue  waters  of  the  Gulf  at 
their  feet.  Little  villages  peeped  out  from  their  setting  of 
emerald,  here  and  there  among  the  lofty  heights,  like  infants 
in  the  arms  of  a  giant ;  and  high  up  among  them,  was 
Bardezag — the  Garden  of  the  Lord. 


CHAPTER    II. 


ADABAZAR. 

JRAMP,  tramp,  tramp,  all  the  live-long  day.  Now 
passing  over  old  Roman  roads  and  bridges,  and 
meeting  long,  narrow  carts,  with  solid,  clumsy 
wheels,  drawn  by  buffaloes,  and  filled  with  lumber,  or  pro 
duce,  or,  perchance,  a  family,  protected  by  a  rude  awning, 
and  presenting  some  curious  specimens  of  humanity ;  trav 
elers  on  horseback — the  stately  Turk,  with  dagger  and  pistol 
in  his  cashmere  girdle,  his  black  attendant  clad  in  loose 
garments  of  scarlet  cloth ;  and  veiled  women  riding,  not 
"  sidewise,"  but  *  otherwise"  on  mules  or  donkeys — some 
times  with  a  large  basket  swung  on  each  side  of  the  saddle, 
from  which  .peeped  out  the  heads  of  children,  like  birdlings 
in  a  nest. 

A  train  of  camels  in  the  distance  added  variety  to  the 
moving  panorama,  as  my  good  steed  paced  steadily  after  the 
prophet's  namesake,  Ezekial,  my  Armenian  escort.  And 
now  our  path  led  us  eastward,  over  the  broad  plain,  away 
from  the  tide  of  life  surging  to  and  from  the  city  which  was 
once  "a  second  Rome."*  A  range  of  hills  swept  nearly 

*  The  historian  Gibbon  says,  that  Nicomedia  was  once  inferior  only 
to  Rome,  Alexandria,  and  Antioch,  in  magnificence  and  populous- 
ness. 

2*  (33) 


34  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


around  the  horizon,  clad  in  misty  robes  of  violet,  with  young 
forests  springing  up  at  their  feet.  The  way  grew  narrower 
and  pleasanter,  fringed  on  either  side  with  tangled  wild- 
wood,  with  little  brooks  purling  through  ;  scarlet  berries 
gleamed  amid  the  glossy  green  of  the  foliage,  and  trailing 
vines  swung  gracefully  from  trees  and  shrubs ;  the  lazy  pip 
ing  of  scattered  birds  and  insects,  and  the  monotonous  tread 
of  our  horses'  feet,  alone  disturbed  the  autumnal  stillness 
which  lay  over  the  land  that  warm  November  day. 

Again  we  emerged  into  an  open  space,  with  another 
stretch  of  plain,  dotted  over  with  clumps  of  grand  old  oaks, 
beneath  whose  shade  we  ate  our  lunch ;  and  as  evening  ap 
proached,  our  path  wound  around  the  cliffs  overhanging  the 
lovely  little  lake  "  Savanja,"  the  splashing  of  whose  soft  rip 
pling  waters  upon  the  pebbly  shore  sounded  like  an  evening 
song.  The  hills  on  the  opposite  side  were  lighted  with  rosy 
hues,  playing  amid  the  purple  tinge,  and  in  the  distance  lay 
the  ruins  of  an  old  Greek  town,  built  by,  and  named  for, 
Helena,  the  mother  of  Constantine.  A  little  later,  and  "  the 
last  faint  pulse  of  quivering  light  "  had  faded  out.  The  dark 
ness  deepened ;  a  few  belated  travelers  came  up  behind  us, 
but  soon  turned  off  on  other  paths;  camp-fires  shone  fitfully 
in  the  distance,  and  the  tinkling  of  bells  and  furious  bark 
ing  of  surly  dogs,  told  of  shepherds  keeping  watch  over 
their  flocks.  A  few  pale  stars  looked  out  from  their  hazy 
shroud,  but  shed  no  light  on  the  scene,  and  the  last  hour 
seemed  very  long  as  we  went  on,  stumbling  over  unseen 
paths,  rude  bridges,  and  stony  roads  in  the  darkness. 

Keble's  evening  song, — 

"  Sun  of  my  soul,  thou  Saviour  dear, 
It  is  not  nit^ht,  if  Thou  art  near," — 


ADABAZAR.  35 


served  to  solace  and  beguile  the  tedium  of  the  lonely  way ; 
and  never  did  those  sweet  words    seem    sweeter  or  more 

appropriate ! 

THE  ARRIVAL. 

But  now  lights  began  to  gleam  upon  our  gladdened  sight : 
earthly  lights,  but  needful  and  welcome  to  earthly  travelers. 
We  were  nearing  our  journey's  end.  Our  horses'  hoofs  soon 
clattered  over  the  rough  pavement  of  the  town ;  street  after 
street  was  slowly  traversed,  cheered  by  an  occasional  glim 
mering  from  some  window,  and  at  last  we  stopped  before  a 
door,  which  Ezekial  opened,  and  I  rode  into  the  court-yard. 

Mine  host,  Baron  Kavork — Mr.  George — came  forth,  and 
assisted  me  to  alight,  while  he  extended  a  hearty  welcome  to 
Adabazar. 

At  the  head  of  the  staircase,  his  daughter  Prappion,  my 
pupil,  met  me  with  a  joyful  greeting;  she  was  followed  by 
her  mother,  grandmother,  and  a  troop  of  younger  brothers 
and  sisters,  who  had  gone  to  bed,  but  roused  up  when  they 
heard  that  the  teacher  had  come.  It  was  half-past  nine 
o'clock;  so  late  that  they  had  ceased  to  look  for  us;  but  all 
seemed  very  happy  over  my  arrival. 

Prappion  conducted  me  to  a  divan,  in  a  room  which  I  was 
told  to  consider  mine,  and  the  family  gathered  around  for  a 
little  conversation,  while  she  went  to  prepare  a  cup  of  tea,  to 
refresh  me  after  my  wearisome  ride  of  thirty  miles. 

The  children  were  sent  to  bed,  and  soon  a  round  copper- 
tray,  with  bread,  honey,  milk,  and  cheese,  was  placed  before 
me  on  a  low  stool.  B.  Kavork  reverently  asked  a  blessing, 
returning  thanks  for  Divine  protection  on  the  journey,  and 
then  partook  with  me  of  the  refreshment ;  after  which,  Prap 
pion  spread  a  wool-bed  in  one  corner  upon  the  floor,  and  I  was 


36  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

kindly  left  alone,  with  full  permission  to  prolong  my  slumbers 
in  the  morning  as  late  as  I  pleased.  Soon  after  I  had  re 
tired,  u  Rest  for  the  weary  "  floated  to  my  ear  from  the  outer 
room,  where  the  children  had  camped  down  for  the  night, 
and  were  softly  singing  for  my  benefit.  But  sleep  would  not 
come  at  my  bidding.  The  tramp,  tramp  of  the  horses  sound 
ed  continually  in  my  ears  ;  and  long  hours  of  restless  tossing 
intervened  before  "  tired  nature's  sweet  restorer  "  came  to 
close  my  eyes. 

When  I  left  my  room  at  a  late  hour  the  next  morning,  the 
family  were  scattered  to  their  respective  employments.  But 
breakfast  was  quickly  prepared  for  me,  and  to  my  surprise, 
the  head  of  the  house  returned  from  his  place  of  business  to 
do  the  honors  to  his  guest.  A  high,  rude  table  had  been  con 
structed  for  the  occasion,  at  which  was  placed  two  chairs, 
of  similar  workmanship ;  and  upon  the  cloth  were  arranged 
plates,  knives  and  forks,  cups  and  saucers,  and  various  dishes 
of  food,  after  the  European  fashion. 

My  good  host  was  very  attentive  and  polite,  but  evidently 
not  quite  at  ease  in  his  new  position. 

It  was  very  easy  to  trace  these  "  new-fangled  notions  "  to 
the  daughter's  influence,  as  a  result  of  her  "  city  education." 
But  I  was  disappointed  in  not  being  allowed  to  mingle  with 
the  family  in  their  accustomed  ways,  that  I  might  the  sooner 
get  below  the  surface,  and  learn  how  to  adapt  myself  to  the 
real  needs  of  the  people  among  whom  I  had  cast  my  lot. 

After  the  repast  was  ended,  I  went  into  the  garden,  and 
finding  Pailadzoon, — the  youngest  child  and  pet  of  the 
family — playing  under  the  mulberry  trees,  tried  to  win 
the  heart  of  the  bright,  brown-eyed  little  maiden.  But 
she  was  very  shv,  and  could  not  be  induced  to  open  her 


ADABAZAR.  37 


lips  to  meet  my  advances.  Aroosiag,  the  still  young 
mother  of  a  family  of  six  children,  was  washing  at  a  stone 
trough  near  the  well,  and  the  grandmother  was  sitting  on  a 
cushion  in  the  door-way,  busy  with  her  distaff  and  spindle. 
The  father  had  gone  to  his  shop  with  his  eldest  son,  a  lad 
of  fifteen,  and  the  younger  boys  were  at  school.  Prappion 
was  singing  at  her  work  in  the  house. 

It  was  a  peaceful,  pleasant  domestic  scene.  The  "  little 
mother "  in  the  foreground,  looked  very  picturesque  and 
graceful  in  her  bright  Turkish  costume ;  her  beautiful  brown 
hair  falling  from  beneath  her  head-dress  in  a  broad  sweep  of 
fine  silky  braids,  twenty  or  thirty  in  number,  linked  together 
by  a  tiny  cross-braid,  near  the  rippling  ends  which  reached 
below  her  girdle.  Her  fair,  oval  face  and  dark  eyes,  were 
lighted  by  a  very  sweet  expression;  and  when  she  spoke,  I 
noticed  the  soft,  low  voice,  which  is  esteemed  "  an  excellent 
thing  in  woman,"  and  thought  the  mother  of  my  Prappion 
the  most  attractive  Armenian  woman  I  had  ever  seen. 

THE  DINNER. 

In  the  evening,  soon  after  dark,  the  family  gathered  for 
their  principal  meal;  and  I  begged  so  hard  to  be  admitted 
as  one  of  themselves,  that  B.  Kavork  reluctantly  consented, 
and  all  the  fine  modern  arrangements  disappeared.  With 
true  Oriental  courtesy,  he  told  me  that  I  must  consider  his 
house  as  my  own ;  myself  a  daughter,  Prappion's  elder  sister  ; 
that  if  I  wished  anything,  I  had  only  to  ask  for  it,  and  so 
far  as  lay  in  his  power  it  would  be  granted  "  with  all  his 
heart." 

The  little  stone-paved  kitchen  of  this  comfortable  country 
house  occupied  one  side  of  the  front  entrance;  the  lower 


THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


court,  or  passage,  had  no  flooring  but  the  bare  hard  earth, 
and  from  this  open  space,  a  few  steps  led  to  a  broad  plat 
form  at  the  foot  of  the  main  staircase.  This  platform,  spread 
with  strips  of  carpet,  and  with  cushions  ranged  against  the 
rough  wall,  was  the  dining-room.  Here  were  two  large 
trays  placed  upon  low  stools ;  each  of  these  miniature  tables 
was  covered  with  a  dark  cloth  of  native  manufacture,  and 
another  was  spread  underneath  upon  the  floor,  and  brought 
over  the  lap  to  serve  in  place  of  napkins.  The  grandmother 
and  part  of  the.  children  gathered  around  one  table,  while 
the  father  and  mother  sat  with  the  rest  at  the  other  ;  and  my 
seat  was  next  the  head  of  the  household.  After  all  were 
quietly  placed,  the  father  laid  aside  his  fez,  and  with  un 
covered  head,  devoutly  implored  the  Divine  blessing;  he 
then  replaced  the  cap,  and  proceeded  to  cut  two  loaves  of 
brown  bread,  which  one  of  the  boys  distributed  around  the 
edge  of  each  tray. 

The  dinner  consisted  of  four  courses  :  first,  rice  prepared 
with  various  condiments,  then  a  stew  of  mutton  and  vege 
tables,  followed  by  roasted  fowls,  and  lastly,  -some  kind  of 
spicy  greens — uncooked — mixed  with  sour  milk,  which  B. 
Kavork  said  was  the  farmers'  favorite  dish.  He  carved  the 
fowls  with  his  hands — having  previously  had  water  poured 
over  them  by  the  daughter,  who  "  girded  herself  with  a 
towel,"  and  offered  me  a  portion  without  the  intervention 
of  fork  or  plate,  remarking  that  they  retained  the  customs  of 
Abraham's  time — which  led  us  to  speak  of  Joseph,  who  sent 
his  brothers  each  a  portion,  when  they  sat  at  meat  with  him 
in  Egypt. 

The  food  was  well  cooked  and  palatable  ;  Prappiofi  served, 
and  each  course  came  on  hot  and  smoking  in  a  metal  tureen. 


AD  A  BAZAR.  39 


When  the  cover  was  removed,  I  was  requested  to  help  my 
self,  which  I  did  with  fork  or  spoon,  keeping  closely  to  my 
own  corner  of  the  heap,  while  all  the  rest  dipped  promiscu 
ously  into  the  common  dish,  the  grandmother  using  her 
fingers  for  everything.  I  was  reminded  of  our  Lord's 
words  as  He  sat  with  the  twelve  :  "  He  that  dippeth  his 
hand  with  me  in  the  dish,  the  same  shall  betray  me  :  he  it  is 
to  whom  I  shall  give  a  sop — morsel — when  I  shall  have 
dipped  it."  This  I  saw  the  mother  do,  "  sopping  "  a  piece 
of  bread  in  the  stew,  and  handing  it  to  little  Pailadzoon. 

We  were  conversing  pleasantly  about  the  customs  of  vari 
ous  countries,  when  a  neighbor  rapped  at  the  door,  came  in, 
and  was  heartily  invited  to  "  sit  by "  and  partake  of  the 
food;  he  declined,  and  we  went  on  with  our  conversation, 
which  seemed  to  interest  him  as  he  sat  on  the  steps  eating 
nuts  which  Prappion  had  handed  him.  As  my  host  appeared 
to  regret  his  inability  to  honor  me  by  the  style  to  which  I 
was  accustomed,  I  said  to  him,  "  If  you  should  come  to  us 
in  America,  we  could  not  change  our  way  of  living  for  you." 
"  No,"  he  replied,  "  but  our  customs  are  bad,  and  in  time 
will  change;  they  are  now  changing."  "Well,  if  you  adopt 
our  customs,  it  will  cost  more  money,  and  more  time." 
"  True,"  he  answered,  "  it  cannot  be  done  at  once ;  "  but  I 
fancied  a  shade  of  discontent  in  his  tone.  Was  it  the 
"  divine  discontent "  so  lauded  by  the  poet  and  the  philoso 
pher  ? 

THE  FAMILY  ROOMS, 

After  dinner,  we  repaired  to  the  parlor,  or  "  great  room." 
The  stair-way  led  to  a  large,  almost  square,  central  hall,  from 
which  opened  four  or  five  rooms.  The  huge  pile  of  bedding 
in  one  corner,  and  the  various  articles  suspended  from  the 


40  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


smoky  rafters  of  this  hall,  showed  the  simplicity  of  life,  and 
the  thrift  and  comfort  of  a  family  possessed  of  a  competence. 
The  walls  were  unpkistered,  and  the  wood-work  unpainted 
and  rough,  with  wide  cracks,  affording  abundant  circulation 
Jbr  currents  of  air.  The  "  great  room"  was  perhaps  sixteen 
by  twenty  feet  in  size,  and  better  finished;  a  low,  broad 
divan  extended  nearly  around  three  sides,  covered  with  na 
tive  carpet,  of  firm  texture,  woven  in  stripes  ;  solid  cushions 
ranged  against  the  wall  formed  a  back.  Above  the  numer 
ous  white-curtained  windows,  a  narrow  shelf  stretched 
around  the  room,  upon  which  was  deposited  a  few  books, 
papers,  pipes,  etc.,  etc.  And  near  the  ceiling  was  a  row  of 
smaller  windows,  quite  mosaic-like  in  the  fanciful  arrange 
ment  of  glass,  with  bits  of  color  between.  The  floor  was 
spread  with  carpet  similar  to  that  on  the  divan,  with  here 
and  there  a  thick  rug,  wrought  in  quaint  devices  and  gay 
colors.  A  chest  at  one  end,  and  a  curiously  carved  little 
stand,  completed  the  furnishing  of  the  apartments. 

It  \vas  a  pleasant  surprise  to  see  pasted  upon  the  wall,  a 
picture  of  Washington,  the  "  father  of  our  country."  Find 
ing  the  familiar  face  in  that  far-off,  out-of-the-way  corner  of 
the  world,  reminded  me  of  a  scene  I  once  witnessed  in  the 
harbor  of  Constantinople.  As  our  caique  entered  the  Golden 
Horn,  we  suddenly  saw  the  "  stars  and  stripes  "  of  our  na 
tive  land,  flying  from  every  mast-head  of  its  forest  of  ship 
ping;  vessels  of  various  nationalities  seemed  to  vie  with  each 
other  in  their  gay  decorations  for  some  festive  occasion.  For 
a  moment  we  were  pux/.led,  and  exclaimed,  "  Why  is  it  ?  "  but 
when  we  remembered  the  day,  the  beautiful  vision  was  ex 
plained.  It  was  the  22d  of  February,  Washington's  birthday  ! 
Surely,  "  the  righteous  shall  be  in  everlasting  remembrance." 


AD A BAZAR.  41 


Upon  the  wall  opposite  this  picture  was  suspended  a  large 
card,  with  these  words  in  English  :  "  This  is  a  faithful  say 
ing,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Jesus  Christ  came 
into  the  world  to  save  sinners,  of  whom  I  am  chief;  "  and 
underneath  was  a  translation  in  Armenian.  This  card  was 
one  of  those  sent  from  England  for  the  soldiers  during  the 
Crimean  war. 

B.  Alexan,  the  young  preacher  at  Adabazar,  came  in 
and  gave  me  a  warm  welcome  to  his  native  city.  He  had 
taught  for  a  term  or  two,  the  day-school  in  our  Seminary 
building  at  Constantinople,  and  it  seemed  like  meeting  an 
old  friend.  The  old  saying,  "  a  prophet  is  not  without  honor 
save  in  his  own  country,"  was  not  verified  in  his  case.  The 
Adabazar  people  were  so  anxious  to  secure  his  services,  that 
they  could  not  wait  for  him  to  finish  his  theological  course 
at  the  Mission  Seminary;  and  he  consented  to  come  and 
minister  to  them,  on  condition  that  he  should  be  allowed 
three  or  four  hours  of  uninterrupted  study  every  day  for 
four  years ;  which  they  faithfully  promised.  The  conversa 
tion  turned  upon  an  educated  ministry.  B.  Alexan  felt  that 
:t  required  much  study  and  severe  discipline  of  mind,  to 
jreach  the  truth  with  simplicity  and  clearness ;  but  agreed 
•\nth  me,  that  not  the  wisest,  the  most  learned  and  noble, 
bat  those  most  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  Christ,  are  the  most 
fruitful  in  the  great  end  of  preaching  the  Gospel;  viz.,  the 

conversion  and  training  of  souls  for  the  Master's  service. 

' 

Taking  from  his  pocket  two  newly-arrived  copies  of  the 

"  Independent,"  for  which  he  was  a  subscriber,  B.  Alexan 
rerrarked  that  he  had  just  been  reading  one  of  H.  W. 
Bee;her's  sermons,  and  he  gave  me  a  brief  outline  of  it  in 
Armenian. 


42  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

Mr.  Beecher  once  said  that  "the  Rocky  Mountains  were 
the  back  seats  of  his  church,"  perhaps  little  dreaming  that 
some  of  his  great  congregation  were  among  the  dwellers  in 
Bithynia — where  even  Paul  was  not  suffered  to  go — or  that 
his  utterances  would  be  subjected  to  the  criticisms  of  clear 
headed  young  preachers  of  another  race  and  tongue  ! 

Jf 'OR SHIP   0-V   THE  LORD'S  DAY. 

I  was  awakened  at  an  early  hour  by  the  chattering  of 
children  in  the  outer  room ;  soon  they  began  to  sing, — 

'•  There  'II  be  no  more  sorrow  there  ; 

In  heaven  above  where  all  is  love, 
There  '11  be  no  more  sorrow  there." 

How  sweetly  it  sounded  !  All  nature  seemed  to  rejoice  in 
the  blessed  rest  and  quiet  of  the  Sabbath  morn.  In  the  course 
of  an  hour  the  beds  were  removed  from  the  floors  and  piled  in 
their  corners,  and  the  family  gathered  in  the  "  great  room  "  for 
prayers.  The  picture  presented  by  the  assembled  house 
hold  was  very  impressive.  The  father  sat  a  la  Turk,  at  the 
end  of  the  divan,  his  arm  resting  on  the  chest  containing  tie 
family  treasures,  with  the  large  Bible  lying  open  before  hin. 
The  grandmother  sat  opposite,  surrounded  by  the  older  clil- 
dren,  while  the  mother  occupied  a  corner  with  a  younger 
child  on  either  side,  and  the  other  corner,  which  was  the  "  ;eat 
of  honor,"  was  given  to  the  guest.  All  were  quiet  and  sobmn 
while  the  father  read  the  fifth  chapter  of  Second  Coriithi- 
ans.  Then  every  voice  joined  in  singing  a  Sabbath-moning 
hymn ;  after  which  a  prayer ;  then  an  exposition  of  the 
chapter  read — which  was  a  little  preachment  by  the  priest 
of  the  household ;  singing  again,  and  a  prayer  ty  the 


ADABAZAR.  43 


daughter  closed  the  devotions.  The  boys  were  busy  with 
their  Bibles,  in  reviewing  their  Sunday-school  lessons,  and 
occasionally  Prappion  asked  her  father  questions  con 
cerning  the  portion  which  she  was  preparing  for  her  class. 
Half  an  hour  later,  we  were  called  to  breakfast ;  a  cup  of 
tea  forme,  in  addition  to  the  bread  fried  in  butter  and  honey, 
and  cheese  and  milk,  which  formed  the  simple  morning 
meal. 

At  ten  o'clock,  we  were  summoned  to  public  worship  by 
the  rapid  strokes  of  a  wooden  mallet  upon  a  thick  board 
suspended  above  the  roof  of  the  chapel.  The  Turks  have 
a  superstition  which  has  prohibited  the  use  of  bells,  in  the 
Empire ;  they  believe  that  evil  spirits  are  called  down  by 
their  ringing ;  hence  the  "  call  to  prayer  "  by  the  muezzin, 
who  ascends  the  tall  minaret  of  the  mosque  five  times  every 
day,  and  as  he  slowly  paces  around  the  narrow  parapet, 
sends  forth  his  clear,  ringing  tones  in  the  words,  "  God  is 
God,  and  Mahomet  is  His  prophet ;  Come  to  prayers !  " 
This  vocal  call  to  the  followers  of  the  false  prophet  in  the 
land  of  the  Crescent,  is  often  used  as  the  signal  for  a  little 
company  of  Christ's  disciples  to  meet  in  some  "  upper  room," 
beneath  the  shadow  of  the  Cross. 

It  was  delightful  to  go  up  to  the  house  of  God  on  His 
holy  day  in  company  with  this  Christian  family.  The 
father,  mother,  and  all  the  children,  fresh  and  clean  in  Sun 
day  attire,  walked  together  to  the  place  of  prayer.  And  as 
my  eye  rested  upon  the  pleasant  group  wending  their  way 
through  the  shady  streets  of  that  country  town,  occasionally 
meeting  others  whose  feet  were  tending  in  the  same  direc 
tion,  my  heart  was  glad,  and  sent  up  a  tribute  of  praise  to 
Him  who  had  permitted  me  to  see  such  fruits  of  Gospel-seed 


44  TIIE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

sown  by  the  hand  of  His  missionary  servants.  The  gradual 
breaking  down  of  social  barriers,  in  a  land  where  there  is  no 
such  thing  as  unity  in  family  life,  where  custom  prohibits 
the  husband  and  wife  from  eating  together,  or  walking  to 
gether  in  public,  where  people  would  be  shocked  to  see  a 
lady  taking  a  gentleman's  arm,  or  preceding  him  in  entering 
a  room,  is  one  of  the  happy  changes  produced  by  the  intro 
duction  of  the  Gospel  leaven. 

We  entered  the  neat  frame  chapel,  and  took  our  seats  upon 
plain  wooden  settees.  There  were  eighty  or  a  hundred 
people  present.  B.  Alexan  preached  from  the  text,  "  Sorrow 
ful,  yet  always  rejoicing;  poor,  yet  making  many  rich  ;  .hav 
ing  nothing,  and  yet  possessing  all  things;"  a  simple,  earnest, 
practical  discourse.  We  sang,  "  Just  as  I  am ;  "  and  when 
we  came  to  the  words,  "  Thy  blood  was  shed  for  me,"  large 
drops  rolled  down  upon  the  book  I  held,  and  looking  up,  I 
saw  them  falling  from  the  eyes  of  the  good  sister  who  looked 
over  with  me.  She  wiped  them  away — but  the  next  verse 
opened  afresh  the  fountain  of  feeling,  and  I  rejoiced  to  see 
such  tenderness. 

The  Sunday-school  followed  the  morning  service,  and 
almost  the  entire  congregation  remained  to  take  a  part  in  it. 
I  went  with  Prappion  to  the  school-room  below,  and  in  a 
moment  all  the  men  and  boys  in  the  chapel  were  singing, 
"  Would  you  be  as  angels  are  ? "  led  by  the  pastor.  We 
sang,  one  of  the  sisters  prayed,  and  three  of  them  repeated 
the  lesson,  which  was  In  Acts ;  then  Prappion  commenced 
the  exposition,  as  I  had  requested  her  to  proceed  as  usual. 
There  were  twenty  in  the  Bible-class,  and  they  showed  con 
siderable  acquaintance  with  Scripture.  I  joined  in  the 
interesting  exercise,  afterward  addressed  the  younger  ones, 


ADABAZAR.  45 


and  found  it  difficult  to  close  at  the  end  of  the  hour. 
Aroosiag's  sister  and  her  daughter  went  home  with  us,  and 
we  enjoyed  a  season  of  delightful  Christian  intercourse. 

AT   THE   BEGINNING. 

B.  Kavork  gave  us  a  most  interesting  account  of  the  rise 
of  Protestantism  in  that  city.  "  More  than  twenty  years 
ago,  a  sick  man  by  the  name  of  Sdepan  went  from 
Adabazar  to  Nicomedia,  to  consult  a  doctor;  and  while 
there,  he  heard  of  the  missionaries  who  had  come  on 
a  visit,  and  went  to  see  them.  He  could  read,  and  they  gave 
him  tracts — *  Light  of  the  Soul ' — (which  was  first  written 
in  Arabic  by  Mr.  Whiting,  a  missionary  of  the  American 
Board  in  Syria,  and  was  so  useful,  that  it  was  translated 
into  Armenian,  by  a  missionary  at  Stamboul;) — also  one 
entitled  '  Sermon  for  all  the  World ; '  and  another  called 
'Head  of  the  Church;'  and  they  told  him  that  'Christ 
was  the  only  Mediator,  the  only  way  of  salvation.' " 

This  man  went  home  and  secretly  told  some  of  his  friends, 
and  one  day  his  physician  whispered  to  B.  Kavork  that  there 
was  a  ''new  religion,  a  new  faith  sprung  up;  and,  strange  to 
tell,  a  new  Bible !  "  That  was  all ;  but  it  affected  him  so 
much,  that  he  could  not  sleep  that  night,  and  early  the  next 
morning  went  to  see  Sdepan,  who  was  angry,  and  said, 
"  Who  told  you  ? "  When  he  replied  that  he  need  not 
be  afraid,  he  only  wanted  to  learn  what  it  was,  Sdepan 
softened,  told  him  what  the  missionaries  had  said,  and  lent 
him  the  tracts.  He  read  them — he  had  before  considered 
himself  very  religious  according  to  the  Armenian  Church — 
but  light  sprang  up  in  his  soul.  The  5th  of  Matthew 
was  a  revelation! — Christ  the  only  Mediator!  "Then," 


46  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

said  he  to  the  man,  "  the  Saints  are  not  necessary  to 
us!" 

When  Sdepan  went  to  Constantinople,  Kavork  accom 
panied  him,  having  business,  and  through  his  means,  the 
Missionary  D wight  came  to  their  room.  Sdepan  said, 
"This  is  their  bishop;"  but  when  he  saw  him  without  a 
beard,  he  thought  it  could  not  be,  "  for  he  was  but  a  boy  !  " 
But  Mr.  Dwight  instructed  him  more  fully  in  the  new  way, 
and  constantly  turned,  while  speaking,  to  passages  in  the  New 
Testament,  till  Kavork  said  to  himself,  "  He  knows  it  all  by 
heart !  "  Before  leaving,  he  invited  them  to  come  on  Tues 
days  and  Thursdays,  to  a  room  in  the  khan  where  he  met 
Armenian  merchants,  and  traders,  who  frequented  the  Capi 
tal  on  business.  Afterwards,  various  missionaries  visited 
Adabazar,  where  the  truth  had  begun  to  take  root ;  but  they 
had  to  be  very  cautious,  because  of  fierce  opposition  from 
the  Old  Church.  Mr.  Hamlin  was  once  in  danger  of  losing 
his  life  from  a  mob  which  surrounded  the  house  where  he 
spent  the  night,  and  only  escaped  through  the  friendship 
and  bravery  of  his  Turkish  host. 

But  a  little  thing  which  appeals  to  Oriental  tastes  and 
sympathies,  has  sometimes  turned  the  tide  in  favor  of 
Christ's  ambassador.  Among  the  most  bitter  and  unrelent 
ing  enemies  of  Dr.  Azariah  Smith  of  Aintab,  was  an  old 
priest  of  the  Armenian  Church  in  that  city,who  had  never  seen 
him,  and  who,  as  he  said,  never  wished  to  behold  the  "  mis- 
sionar."  But  it  so  happened  that  one  day  the  two  unexpect 
edly  met  in  the  house  of  one  who  was  very  ill,  and  in  his  ex 
tremity  had  availed  himself  of  the  doctor's  acknowledged  skill. 
The  priest  was  for  a  moment  confounded  and  amazed,  when 
told  the  stranger's  name ;  then  gazing  with  softened 


ADABAZAR.  47 


emotions  upon  the  doctor's  magnificent  black  beard,  he* 
approached,  and  gently  stroking  it,  said,  "  God  must  love 
you  very  much  to  give  you  such  a  beard !  " 

At  two  o'clock  we  attended  another  service  in  the  chapel. 
The  subject  of  the  Bible  exposition  was  the  feast  of  the 
passover,  and  the  atonement  made  by  the  Lamb  of  God. 

When  we  returned,  I  met  the  grandmother — who  was 
neither  a  Protestant,  nor  a  rigid  Armenian,  in  matters  of 
faith — and  asked  if  she  had  enjoyed  the  Day  of  rest.  She 
simply  answered  "Yes;"  and  I  rejoined:  "But  you  have 
not  enjoyed  spiritual  refreshment  as  we  have  :  you  do  not 
go  up  to  the  Lord's  house  to  worship  with  His  people." 
"  No,"  said  the  old  lady,  "  but  I  worship  at  home ;  wherever 
we  pray,  God  is  present  to  hear."  "Why  then  did  God 
manifest  His  presence  in  the  temple  of  old?  Why  does 
the  Bible  say,  '  Not  forsaking  the  assembling  of  ourselves 
together,  as  the  manner  of  some  is  ? ' '  She  had  no  answer 
for  this,  but  by-and-by  began  to  tell  me  about  the  early 
times  among  the  Protestants,  and  how  much  she  had  suf 
fered,  because  her  children  were  of  the  number.  "  Their 
windows  were  broken,  and  they  were  stoned  and  beaten  till 
blood  flowed !  "  B.  Kavork  joined  in  the  conversation,  and 
asked  if  she  knew  how  much  my  forefathers  had  suffered  for 
Christ — which  was  owing  to  a  little  sketch  that  I  had  given 
in  our  conversation  at  noon,  about  the  "  Pilgrim  Fathers  " 
of  New-England. 

THE   EVENING   SACRIFICE. 

The  glowing  sun  had  sunk  to  rest  in  his  couch  of  gold, 
beneath  a  canopy  of  gorgeous  hues,  which  tinted  all  the 
sky;  a  soothing  hush  seemed  to  fall  upon  nature,  as  if  a 


48  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

gentle  mother  were  calling  her  tired  children  to  repose  and 
prayer;  and  in  that  calm  twilight  hour,  we  again  gathered 
in  the  "  great  room,"  for  family  worship.  After  reading  a 
few  verses  of  Scripture  and  singing  a  hymn,  the  father  asked 
his  children  in  turn,  if  they  remembered  the  subject  of  his 
morning  discourse ;  and  the  words  were  repeated,  "  There 
fore,  if  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature."  He 
then  turned  to  the  "  little  mother,"  and  said,  "  Wife,  what  is 
it  to  be  newly  created  ?  "  and  she  answered  simply,  "  It  is 
to  be  born  of  the  Holy  Spirit."  He  afterward  recapitulated 
the  different  divisions:  to  have  new  ideas  of  God,  new  con 
ceptions  of  His  character;  of  Christ,  and  the  work  of 
salvation ;  new  experience  of  the  workings  of  the  Spirit  in 
the  heart,  live  a  new  life,  etc."  He  then  turned  to  me  and 
invited  me  to  speak.  I  said  that  I  had  been  thinking  of  the 
new  love  which  made  all  things  new,  changed  the  aspect  of 
everything:  that  love  impelled  to  action;  the  newly-created 
in  Christ  is  led  to  inquire  like  Saul,  "  Lord,  what  wilt  Thou 
have  me  to  do  ?  "  "  How  shall  I  show  my  love  for  Him 
who  gave  Himself  a  ransom  for  me?  "  A  new  principle  is 
infused  into  his  life.  B.  Kavork  frequently  assented,  and 
when  I  finished  speaking,  proceeded  to  catechise  the 
younger  ones  according  to  their  capacity.  There  was 
nothing  in  the  appearance  of  the  children  to  indicate  dis 
taste  for  such  an  exercise,  or  bring  to  mind  the  complaint 
against  God's  ancient  people  :  "  Ye  said  also,  Behold,  what  a 
weariness  is  it!  and  ye  have  snuffed  at  it;  saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts."  On  the  contrary,  they  appeared  to  enjoy  it  as  a 
luxury,  for  which  the  busy  week  days  left  little  time.  The 
services  of  the  day  were  briefly  reviewed,  another  hymn  of 
praise  was  sung,  and  then  the  father  called  upon  the  eldest 


ADABAZAR.  49 


son  to  pray,  which  he  did  most  appropriately  and  briefly. 
It  was  a  Sabbath  scene  over  which  angels  might  have 
rejoiced. 

At  eight  o'clock,  we  started  for  the  monthly  concert  of 
missions.  There  were  present  about  the  same  number  of 
attendants  as  at  the  morning  service.  The  pastor  read  a 
portion  of  Scripture,  commented  briefly,  and  then  called 
upon  the  brethren  to  pray.  All  immediately  arose,  and 
without  a  moment's  pause,  one  of  them  offered  prayer. 

Foreign  missionary  intelligence  was  given  from  the  Ave- 
daper — Messenger,  or  Good-News-Bringer,  published  by  the 
Missionaries  at  Constantinople  :  Items  from  Paris,  Italy, 
Russia,  Japan,  and  other  countries.  The  singing  was  truly 
congregational,  all  uniting  heartily  in  swelling  the  inevitable 
missionary  hymn,  "  From  Greenland's  icy  mountains."  And 
at  the  close  I  was  touched  to  hear  the  pastor  pray  most 
fervently  for  America ;  that  war  and  blood-shed  might  cease, 
and  true  peace  prevail ;  that  the  principles  of  the  blessed 
Gospel  might  be  established  in  that  land  ! 

THE  CHILD- WIFE. 

After  our  return  we  heard  a  sound  of  chanting  in  the 
streets.  It  was  a  wedding  procession,  taking  the  bride  to 
her  home.  B.  Kavork  remarked  that  it  was  a  widow,  or 
widower,  otherwise  the  "  crowning "  would  take  place  on 
Monday  morning,  in  the  church :  that  a  second  marriage 
was  not  esteemed  as  holy  as  the  first.  He  asked  about  our 
custom,  and  then  repeated  their  marriage  service  in  ancient 
Armenian.  Said  his  wife  was  but  eleven  years  of  age,  and 
he  was  twenty-two  when  they  were  married;  that  he  was 
a  father  to  her ;  she  would  often  fall  asleep  at  the  evening 
3 


50  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


meal,  and  he  would  carry  her  off  to  bed  like  any  child.  He 
had  a  difficult  time  in  teaching  her  to  read,  for  she  was  fond 
of  play,  and  did  not  care  to.  learn  her  letters!  Aroosiag 
nodded  a  smiling  assent,  while  her  husband  told  the  story 
of  her  early  married  life;  and  he  went  on  to  say  that  Prap- 
pion,  her  first  child,  was  born  when  she  was  fourteen  years 
of  age,  and  the  child-wife  was  utterly  innocent  and  ignorant 
of  the  great  mystery  of  motherhood.  It  seemed  that 
Aroosiag's  mother  was  left  without  a  head  to  her  house,  and 
was  only  willing  to  marry  her  remaining  daughter  to  a  Prot 
estant  because  he  had  no  mother  living,  and  hence  she 
could  take  the  position  of  mistress — universally  accorded  to 
the  mother-in-law  in  the  East — and  save  her  child  from  the 
despotism  of  some  hard-hearted,  cruel  woman. 

Aroosiag  afterwards  spoke  of  her  husband's  kindness,  and 
how  her  life  had  been  shielded  from  much  of  the  sorrow 
and  trial  which  had  fallen  to  the  lot  of  other  women  in  her 
country.  She  had  certainly  developed  into  a  very  noble 
and  beautiful  woman,  both  physically  and  spiritually,  and 
much  credit  was  undoubtedly  due  to  her  fatherly  husband. 

"yr<9    WORK— NOTHING    TO  DO." 

Monday  morning  we  went  to  the  sunrise  prayer-meeting 
at  the  chapel ;  there  were  thirty  or  forty  persons  present.  The 
theme  was  Christian  work  and  individual  responsibility; 
every  one  building  before  his  own  house,  as  in  the  time  of 
Nehemiah.  The  brethren  prayed  without  being  specified, 
and  the  singing  was  full  of  spirit ;  there  were  some  full  bass 
voices,  trained  by  the  pastor,  and  the  good  old  tunes  to 
which  I  had  listened  in  childhood,  awoke  many  tender 
associations.  Among  other  speakers,  the  head  of  the  Prot- 


ADABAZAR.  51 


estant   community  said   that   as   yet    there  were   few   men 
among  them  who  were  ready  to  deny  themselves  for  Christ. 

When  he  was  last  in  Constantinople,  he  saw  some  edu 
cated  men  going  about  idle,  and  asked  the  cause.  l<  No 
work,"  was  the  reply.  "  Yes,  there  is,  plenty  of  work ;  open 
your  eyes  and  look  about  you  !  If  there  is  no  work  you 
can  do  here,  go  to  some  village  in  the  country  ;  content 
yourselves  to  live  as  poorly  as  do  others  ;  open  a  school, 
and  you  will  soon  have  enough  scholars.  Go  on  in  your 
self-denial  for  a  time,  and  you  will  reap  a  rich  reward.  By- 
and-by  you  will  secure  a  reputation  and  an  influence  in 
that  place  as  a  wise  man.  In  time  your  circumstances  will 
improve,  and  you  will  elevate  those  around  you ;  you  will 
become  a  father  to  that  people  !  If  you  have  no  money  to 
go  with,  I  will  help  pay  your  expenses."  This  was  good 
sound  advice,  even  if  mere  talk,  but  it  met  with  no  response. 

On  our  way  home  a  Turkish  woman  met  me,  and  gave  me 
a  pear.  She  afterwards  followed  us,  came  to  my  room, 
opened  the  door,  and  found  me  reading.  She  wanted  to 
know  what  book  it  was,  and  I  told  her  it  was  my  Bible — the 
"  Holy  Book."  We  could  only  interchange  a  few  words, 
and  then  laugh  at  our  ineffectual  attempts  to  understand 
each  other. 

After  the  morning  work  was  done,  the  grandmother  came 
into  the  big  hall  with  her  distaff  and  spindle,  and  seated 
herself  upon  a  cushion  on  the  floor.  Taking  a  seat  by  her 
side,  I  asked  her  to  teach  me  to  spin.  She  looked  greatly 
surprised,  and  exclaimed,  "  What !  /teach  you  anything!" 
When  assured  that  I  was  in  earnest,  and  would  gladly  learn 
from  her,  she  was  much  pleased,  and  gave  me  my  first  lesson. 
She  had  hitherto  been  inclined  to  hold  herself  aloof  from 


52  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


me,  but  her  prejudices  melted  away,  she  was  quite  won  over, 
and  ere  long  opened  her  heart,  and  told  me  her  sorrows — of 
her  widowed  daughter  left  with  no  means  to  provide  for  her 
little  ones  ;  and  that  she  herself  was  early  left  a  widow.  I  tried 
to  direct  her  to  the  widow's  God  and  the  Father  of  the  father 
less  ;  told  her  of  my  own  mother's  experience,  and  repeated 
some  of  the  sweet  words  of  promise  that  had  so  comforted  her 
in  her  widowhood  and  the  death  of  four  sons.  The  dear  old 
mother  listened  with  rapt  attention  ;  she  did  not  oppose  the 
truth,  but  mildly  adhered  in  heart  to  the  faith  of  her  fore 
fathers,  and  the  history  of  another  widowed  wife  and  mother 
touched  a  tender  chord.  Just  then  B.  Alexan's  sister  came 
in,  and,  after  a  little  chat,  invited  Prappion  and  myself  to 
lunch  with  them  that  day.  The  weather  was  exceedingly 
oppressive  ;  a  south  wind  was  blowing,  and  instead  of  my 
hat  and  shawl,  I  accepted  the  loan  of  a  "  teulbent  "  —thin 
white  muslin  veil — which  Aroosiag  threw  over  my  head  and 
shoulders.  The  family  were  much  pleased,  and  said  I  was 
now  an  "  Adabazartsi !  "  When  we  arrived,  B.  Alexan 
came  down  to  meet  us,  and  exclaimed  at  my  Oriental  ap 
pearance  ;  but  they  all  said  it  was  very  becoming. 

TIH-:  PAS7'OR'S  HOME  AXD  WORK. 
I  found  B.  Alexan's  mother,  married  sister,  and  two 
brothers,  living  with  him;  the  eldest  brother  a  "helper" 
at  Koordbeleng — a  very  pleasant  family.  After  a  little  pre 
liminary  conversation,  we  partook  of  the  luncheon,  consist 
ing  of  pilaff,  poached  eggs,  brown  bread,  and  honey,  fol 
lowed  by  nuts,  and  discoursed  about  the  missionaries  and 
some  of  their  trials  in  the  work  at  Stamboul.  B.  Alexan 
was  sensible  and  moderate  in  his  views.  He  said  that  some 


ADABAZAR.  53 


new  change  was  needed  to  awaken  the  Armenian  nation ; 
that  he  thought  about  it  day  and  night,  but  as  yet  without 
any  result.  He  could  learn  nothing  of  the  late  disturbances 
or  disaffection  at  the  Capital,  but  "  this  and  that  missionary 
said  thus  and  so  ;"  "  they  say  such  and  such  things  " — the 
complaints  of  various  Protestants  and  preachers.  He  him 
self  once  heard  a  missionary  say,  "  I  would  sacrifice  all  the 
native  churches  before  I  would  give  up  one  of  the  princi 
ples  of  the  Board!"  and  thought  they  were  harsh  words. 
"  It  is  a  pity  that  they  were  not  explained,"  I  said,  "  for  I 
think  that  many  of  the  people  confound  principles,  with 
rules.  Now,  you  know  that  rules  should  be  made,  like 
leather,  to  bend  to  circumstances.  But  principles  lie  at  the 
very  foundation  of  things ;  and  if  you  sacrifice  them,  you 
sacrifice  everything."  The  pastor  acknowledged  that  there 
was  great  lack  of  Christian  spirit  among  the  restless  com- 
plainers ;  they  appeared  to  be  spiritually  dead ;  had  left  off 
preaching  Christ  to  quarrel.  It  seemed  a  repetition  of  Paul's 
experience  with  the  Corinthians. 

He  then  showed  me  his  little  study,  and  said  it  was  the 
room  in  which  he  was  born.  I  looked  over  the  book-shelves, 
containing  mostly  Armenian  translations  of  the  Tract  So 
ciety's  works — the  writings  of  Baxter,  Doddridge,  Bunyan, 
.and  others  of  the  old  divines,  D'Aubigne's  History  of  the 
Reformation,  Dwight's  System  of  Theology,  Earth's  Church 
History,  Cruden's  Concordance,  besides  Wayland's  Moral 
Science,  Upham's  Mental  Philosophy,  Abercrombie's  Men 
tal  Culture,  and  various  other  text-books  prepared  by  the 
missionaries  at  Constantinople  for  their  training-schools. 
"  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin  "  and  "  Robinson  Crusoe  "  peeped 
out  from  one  corner  in  their  Armenian  dress,  and  Young's 


54  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


Night  Thoughts  appeared  in  Turkish  ;  these  last  having 
been  translated  and  published  by  a  sect  of  Armenian- 
Catholic  monks,  who  styled  themselves  "  Mechetarists  " — 
comforters  —  and  many  years  ago  established  an  efficient 
press  at  San  Lazaro,  Venice.  By  the  suggestion  of  Lord 
Byron,  who  was  for  a  time  their  guest,  and  amused  himself 
with  the  study  of  Armenian,  they  prepared  the  large  and 
very  valuable  English  and  Armenian  dictionary,  which 
eventually  paved  the  way  for  missionary  work  among  that 
race.  Prominent  among  the  few  English  books  on  the 
shelves,  was  Barnes'  Notes  on  the  New  Testament.  B. 
Alexan  had  just  finished  reading  the  "  Great  Teacher," 
and  "  Great  Commission,"  by  Harris,  which  I  had  lent  him 
from  our  school  library ;  also,  Boardman's  Higher  Life, 
which  he  styled  "  a  king  among  books."  He  remarked  that 
in  reading  the  works  of  the  old  divines — the  "  fathers  of 
the  Christian  Church  " — he  was  more  and  more  convinced 
that  there  was  nothing  new  under  the  sun.  He  "  sometimes 
fancied  that  he  had  an  original  thought,  but  a  careful  scru 
tiny  of  their  pages  took  down  the  conceit,  for  it  was  all 
written  centuries  before  he  was  born." 

The  appointments  of  the  room  were  very  plain  and  sim 
ple,  and  the  library  scanty,  in  comparison  with  that  of  the 
missionaries,  and  ministers  at  home  ;  yet  my  heart  did  rever 
ence  to  this  valiant  young  soldier  who  was  so  faithfully  bear 
ing  aloft  the  banner  of  the  cross,  and  leading  his  people  on 
to  fresh  conquests  over  sin  and  Satan — "  the  rulers  of  the 
darkness  of  this  world."  He  was  the  teacher  of  the  Prot 
estant  day-school,  training  and  moulding  the  lads  who 
would  be  the  next  generation  of  Christian  men  in  that 
interior  town. 


ADABAZ  AR.  5  5 


Monday  was  his  recreation  day ;  he  had  then  no  school, 
but  visited  the  sick,  and  walked  about  trying  to  do  good, 
and  gaming  in  bodily  strength.  He  told  some  interesting 
incidents  connected  with  these  visits  and  walks  in  the  coun 
try,  unconsciously  revealing  the  secret  of  his  success,  and 
the  kindly  relations  which  he  sustained  toward  all  classes  of 
people.  Like  the  Master  in  His  Galilean  walks,  he  con 
stantly  found  fresh  opportunities  for  doing  good  springing 
up  in  his  pathway. 

Going  some  distance  from  the  town  one  day,  and  gather 
ing  the  flowers  that  grew  by  the  way-side  in  his  ramble,  he 
met  a  countryman  with  an  araba,  or  rude  wagon,  of  flour. 
The  man  stopped,  and,  noticing  the  flowers  in  his  hand, 
inquired  if  he  was  a  Hakim,  wishing  to  consult  him  respect 
ing  an  ailment.  This  led  to  a  long  and  deeply  interesting 
conversation  about  the  health  of  his  soul,  which  emphasized 
the  words  of  Holy  Writ,  "  Blessed  are  ye  that  sow  beside 
all  waters." 

The  visit  closed  with  a  pleasant  walk  to  the  stream — a 
half  mile  or  more  distant — which  supplied  the  town  with 
water;  and  our  little  party  chatted  merrily  the  while  we 
watched  the  great,  ponderous  water-wheels  as  they  slowly 
revolved. 

The  old  and  the  new  seemed  strangely  intermingled  every 
now  and  then.  When  B.  Kavork  came  home  that  evening,  he 
said  that  he  had  been  sitting  with  the  "  elders,  or  rulers,  in 
the  gate  of  the  city,"  to  represent  the  Protestants,  of  whom 
he  was  the  chosen  head.  The  expression  carried  me  back  to 
Old  Testament  times.  I  thought  of  Job,  and  Abraham,  and 
Boaz,  and  the  kings  of  Israel.  There  were  no  walls  to  this 
country  town  of  perhaps  eight  or  ten  thousand  inhabitants, 


56  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


and,  consequently,  no  gate  ;  it  was  an  old-time  expression, 
meaning  the  place  of  public  assemblies,  where  justice  was 
administered.  While  the  father  was  gone  to  a  business 
meeting  of  the  church,  the  boys  begged  me  to  read  to  them 
in  English,  which  I  did,  and  the  eldest,  who  had  studied 
with  the  pastor,  translated  for  the  family  as  they  gathered 
with  eager  interest  on  the  floor  around  us.  An  hour  was 
spent  in  this  way,  when  the  mother  requested  me  to  con 
duct  family  worship.  I  read  the  23d  Psakn ;  we  sang, 
"  When  all  thy  mercies,  O  my  God,"  and  I  called  upon  her 
to  pray.  She  offered  a  most  fervent,  excellent  prayer,  say 
ing,  among  other  petitions,  "  We  ask  not  for  long  life  or 
earthly  good,  but  Thy  favor,  and  everlasting  life  in  the  world 
to  come.  Bless  the  children,"  etc.  She  won  upon  my  heart 
more  and  more  as  I  saw  her  in  her  daily  life  :  truly  a  lovely 
woman,  with  a  naturally  fine  mind,  bright,  quick,  intelligent, 
and  humble.  And  again  I  said  to  myself,  as  I  saw  such 
precious  fruit  from  soil  so  little  tilled,  THE  BIBLE  AND  THE 
HOLY  SPIRIT  ARE  WONDERFUL  EDUCATORS  ! 

MISSIONARY  POLICY. 

After  their  father  returned,  and  the  children  had  gone  to 
bed,  we  had  a  long  and  deeply  interesting  conversation  con 
cerning  the  subject  of  discourse  at  the  pastor's  house.  We 
went  back  to  the  beginning  of  things,  and  the  brother 
thought  that  the  missionaries  should  have  taken  such  a 
course  that  they  (the  Evangelicals)  might  have  remained  in 
their  nation  without  any  division  ;  saying,  very  decidedly, 
that  it  could  have  been  done.  He  gave  me  thrilling  details 
of  those  early  days  when  the  fires  of  persecution  fiercely 
raged  among  the  converts,  after  they  were  thrust  out  from 


ADABAZAR.  57 


their  own  so-called  "  Christian  church  "  with  bitter  denun 
ciations,  and  a  hatred  that  pursued  them  to  prison  and 
almost  to  death.  The  Armenian  ecclesiastics  and  rulers 
forbade  the  people  to  buy  of,  or  sell  to,  the  "  apostates,"  or 
to  hold  any  business  or  social  intercourse  whatever  with 
them.  The  vilest  indignities  and  insults  were  heaped  upon 
the  "  brethren,"  who  meekly  bore  the  heavy  cross  which 
their  confession  of  Christ  imposed.  And  then  was  fulfilled 
the  words  of  the  Master,  "  A  man's  foes  shall  be  they  of 
his  own  household."  The  old,  inevitable  conflict  between 
light  and  darkness.  The  history  of  that  period,  as  given 
by  Dr.  Dwight,  of  Constantinople,  in  his  "  Primitive  Chris 
tianity  Revived  in  the  East,"  has  well  been  styled  "  A  SECOND 
EDITION  OF  THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES."  "We  were  all 
thrown  out  of  employment,"  said  B.  Kavork,  "  and  some  of  us 
would  have  starved  or  have  sealed  our  testimony  with  our 
blood,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  missionaries.  They  visited 
those  of  us  who  were  imprisoned  and  supplied  all  our  wants, 
while  they  persistently  appealed  to  the  Turkish  Government 
for  redress  through  the  English  and  American  embassa- 
dors." 

"  And,  Varzhoohi,"  he  continued,  after  a  moment's  pause, 
"  I  sometimes  think  it  would  have  been  just  as  well  if  we 
had  not  looked  to  man,  but  had  left  our  cause  wholly  in  the 
Lord's  hands  ;  a  few  men  would  have  laid  down  their  lives 
for  the  truth,  as  did  the  martyr  Stephen,  but  in  time  we 
might  have  come  out  purified  and  vigorous  from  the  fires. 
Of  one  thing  I  am  certain,  the  missionaries  should  have 
done  less  for  us,  or  more." 

"What  do  you  mean  by  their  doing  less?"  I  inquired. 
"  Why,  only  this  :  we  left  our  father's  house,  where  we  had 
3* 


58  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


everything ;  were  told  that  we  should  have  help  ;  and  be 
cause  we  left  with  that  encouragement,  they  were  bound  to 
help  us.  And  they  did  help  us ;  so  much  at  first,  that  we 
were  led  to  expect  that  they  would  always  provide  for  us. 
You  see  how  it  would  work  !"  "  Yes,  I  see  ;  but  you  said 
that  you  left  your  father's  house,  where  you  had  everything. 
Did  you  not  leave  it  because  it  did  not  furnish  food  for  the 
soul  ?  Or,  rather,  were  you  not  thrust  out  by  your  own  priests 
and  people,  instead  of  voluntarily  leaving  it,  and  this  simply 
because  you  accepted  the  pure  Word  of  God  instead  of  the 
traditions  of  the  Church  ?"  "  Yes  ;  but  it  might  have  been 
very  different  if  we  had  been  left  more  to  ourselves.  It  came  to 
be  understood  that  the  American  Board  furnished  money 
for  us,  and  that  the  missionaries  were  the  agents  to  expend 
the  funds."  "  Ah,  my  brother!  how  cruel  you  would  have 
thought  the  missionaries  if,  after  bringing  to  you  the  open 
Bible,  they  had  left  you  to  yourselves  when  the  fires  of  per 
secution  began  to  burn  !  Are  you  not  looking  back  to  the 
'  leeks  and  onions  of  Egypt?'  And  now  tell  me,  how  was 
it  under  the  old  system  ?  Did  not  you  have  to  pay  for 
what  you  received  ?"  "  Yes  ;  it  is  true  that  our  priests  were 
continually  begging  for  money,  and  taxing  us  for  every 
service  they  performed ;  but  we  were  'Anathema  maranatha  ' 
— accursed  and  cast  out  from  all  support  and  sympathy  of 
our  people  when  we  became  Protestant ;  and  we  came  to 
consider  Protestantism  a  religion  that  didn't  cost  anything! 
I  mean  for  us  it  was  a  Free  Gospel." 

"  }\'ILL   IT  PAY?" 

"  Ah  !  now  I  understand  ;  as  a  natural  result,  many  unworthy 
persons  would  be  attracted  by  the  prospect  of  *  loaves  and 


ADABAZAR.  59 


fishes.'  I  know  that  men  have  come  to  the  missionaries  in 
Constantinople,  unblushingly  asking  how  much  they  would 
give  them  to  become  '  Protestant !  '  One  man  even  set  his 
price,  naming  so  many  thousand  piastres;  and  professed  great 
surprise  and  some  indignation,  when  assured  that  the  mission 
aries  never  had,  and  never  would  offer  any  pecuniary  induce 
ment  to  a  man  to  leave  his  church  and  join  them.  You 
know  that  is  the  method  practiced  by  the  Roman  Catholics 
all  over  Turkey,  to  secure  proselytes,  and  yet  they  meet  with 
very  little  permanent  success.  But  please  tell  me,  B.  Kavork, 
what  do  you  mean  by  the  missionaries  doing  '  more  ? '  ' 

"Well,  as  I  said,  we  were  led  to  expect  more  aid,  and 
increasingly  more ;  but  of  late  years  we  have  received  less 
and  less.  Some  of  the  old  helpers  have  been  turned  off 
by  the  missionaries;  there  was  Der  Matteos,  who  suf 
fered  more  than  many  of  the  early  Protestants.  Before  he 
was  imprisoned  he  was  dragged  about  the  streets  by  his 
beard,  and  then  the  priestly  appendage  was  shaved  off, 
and  he  was  put  on  a  donkey  with  his  face  to  the  tail,  and 
paraded  through  the  streets  of  his  native  city  amid  the  jeers 
and  hootings  of  the  crowds  that  collected  to  see  his  down 
fall.  After  he  became  old,  he  was  dismissed  from  the  ser 
vice.  Now  I  maintain  that  such  helpers  have  a  right  to  their 
support  as  long  as  they  live !  And  it  comes  very  hard  to  us 
poor  Protestants  to  be  continually  told  that  we  '  must  learn 
to  take  care  of  ourselves ! '  You  understand  what  I  mean — 
the  support  of  our  churches,  preachers,  and  schools.  For 
instance :  a  teacher  who  is  very  useful  to  us,  is  removed  to 
another  place  ;  and  when  we  remonstrate,  the  missionary 
says,  '  If  you  want  him,  take  care  of  him  ! ' ' 

"  I  understand ;  but  that  is  only  love  in  disguise.     The 


60  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


case  is  very  similar  to  that  of  a  sick  child  whose  father  has 
tenderly  carried  him  in  his  arms,  and  anticipated  all  his 
wants ;  but  after  the  danger  is  past,  puts  him,  little  by  little, 
upon  his  own  feet,  that  he  may  grow  strong  by  exercise. 
And  the  boy  complains  and  thinks  it  very  hard,  because  he 
has  learned  to  expect  that  he  will  always  be  carried  and 
waited  upon." 

"  But  is  it  not  cruel  and  unjust  to  cast  off  men  who  have 
long  been  in  the  employ  of  the  missionaries  ?  " 

"PUT  YOURSELF  IN  HIS  PLACET' 
"  It  looks  hard  at  first  sight ;  but  is  not  the  same  thing 
constantly  done  by  merchants  and  other  business  men,  when 
they  cannot  afford  to  keep  more  than  a  certain  number  of 
employees  ?  They  retain  those  who  best  serve  their  inter 
ests.  You  would  do  the  same  in  your  own  business.  The 
American  Board  is  not  a  '  charitable  institution ; '  it  was 
founded  solely  for  Gospel-work  in  foreign  lands,  and  is 
wholly  dependent  upon  the  American  churches  for  its  funds. 
Sometimes  the  supplies  "do  not  equal  the  demand,  as  the 
work  increases  from  year  to  year.  Then  the  missionaries 
must  curtail  their  outlays  in  the  way  which  will  do  the  least 
damage  to  the  general  work.  Der  Matteos  received  his  sup 
port  long  after  he  ceased  to  be  of  much  use,  and  when  he 
had,  as  some  of  us  knew,  become  embittered  against  the  mis 
sionaries,  and  was  in  fact  secretly  using  his  influence  against 
them.  But  there  have  been  other  cases  of  helpers  who  were 
cut  off,  and  yet  '  the  love  of  Christ  constraining,'  they 
served  the  cause  uncomplainingly,  according  to  their  ability, 
till  death.  There  was  good  Amooja,  of  Bardezag,  whose 
story  of  persecution  I  can  never  fjrget.  He  was  so  useful 


ADABAZAR.  6l 


as  a  layman,  that  the  missionaries  employed  him  to  work 
among  the  villagers  as  a  colporteur,  and  he  was  very  success 
ful  in  his  labors.  When  word  came  from  Boston  that  the 
funds  were  low,  and  missionaries  in  Turkey  must  retrench, 
Mr.  Parsons  called  Amooja,  and  sorrowfully  told  him  the 
necessity  for  cutting  off  his  small  monthly  stipend.  The 
good  man  received  it  very  meekly,  and  simply  said,  *  Bad- 
veli)  I  will  work  for  Jesus  just  the  same?  And  so  he  did 
till  his  Master  called  him  to  receive  his  heavenly  reward." 

BEGINNING  AT    THE    WRONG  END. 

"  That  is  all  very  well ;  but  when  the  funds  are  low,  as  you 
say,  the  missionaries  are  kept  on  just  the  same,  and  live  as 
usual.  Why  do  they  not  send  away  some  of  their  own  num 
ber,  or  live  more  cheaply  ?  " 

"  Because  the  missionaries  are  always  too  few  for  the  work 
to  be  done  ;  surely,  the  churches  who  furnish  the  means, 
have  a  right  to  select  their  own  agents  !  and  missionaries 
only  live  as  they  have  been  accustomed  to  at  home — often 
not  so  well,  and  have  nothing  to  lay  up  for  sickness  or  old 
age;  they  could  not  live  more  economically  without  injury 
to  their  health.  You  cannot  judge  them  by  your  standard. 
The  American  Board  authorizes  them  to  live  comfortably, 
and,  in  fact,  enjoins  it  upon  them.  It  would  be  poor  econ 
omy  to  send  men  and  women  to  a  foreign  land  at  so  much 
expense,  and  then  keep  them  so  low  that  ill-health  would 
soon  compel  them  to  return.  Besides,  there  is  not  a  really 
useful  missionary  in  Turkey,  who  would  not  receive  much 
more  at  home ;  and  some  of  them  would  fill  the  highest 
places  in  their  native  land,  with  large  salaries  at  command. 
This  I  know,  for  they  have  been  offered  to  them  and 


62  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

declined,  because  they  felt  called  of  God  to  missionary- 
work. 

"  It  is  not  for  any  Church  or  Board  of  Missions  that  they 
do  this  work,  but  for  CHRIST  :  He  only  is  their  acknowl 
edged  Head  and  Master. 

"  There  are  many  wrong  impressions  and  false  ideas  afloat 
among  the  people  about  this  thing.  They  cannot  under 
stand  a  disinterested  benevolence;  and,  judging  others  by 
themselves,  attribute  purely  selfish  or  mixed  motives  to 
those  who  are  striving  to  follow  His  example,  who,  '  though 
he  was  rich,  for  our  sakes  became  poor,  that  we  through  his 
poverty  might  be  made  rich.'  Some  months  after  I  assumed 
the  sole  charge  of  the  Mission  Boarding-school  in  all  its  depart 
ments,  I  incidentally  learned  that  it  was  whispered  about  that 
I  received  the  sum  of  10,000  piastres  per  month  as  compen 
sation  for  the  greatly  increased  care  and  labor.  And  though 
missionaries  pay  little  attention  to  mere  gossip,  I  did  not 
wish  my  pupils  to  labor  under  that  impression,  and  when  a 
suitable  opportunity  offered,  I  simply  stated  the  fact  that  I 
paid  the  cook  in  our  kitchen  more  wages  every  month  than 
I  received  myself.  No  sum  of  money  would  have  proved  a 
compensation  or  an  inducement  to  undertake  such  work. 
People  arc  differently  constituted,  but  God  only  knows  the 
suffering  it  cost  some  of  us  to  give  up  home,  and  friends, 
and  country,  when  the  call  came,  and  we  dared  not  say  no 
to  the  Master!  If  anything  less  than  His  LOVE  brings  one 
into  this  field,  you  may  be  sure  he  will  find  his  way  back 
befoie  long." 

"  Hut  the  missionaries  should  teach  us  how  to  better  our 
temporal  condition.  I  claim  that  if  a  missionary  knows 
how  I  can  make  two  blades  of  grass  grow  in  place  of  one, 


ADABAZAR.  63 


I  have  a  right  to  that  knowledge,  and  it  is  his  duty  to  impart 
it  to  me." 

"  I  have  heard  that  argument  before.  A  Protestant 
Armenian  friend  said  to  me  some  years  ago,  '  The  mission 
aries  commenced  at  the  wrong  end;'  and  when  I  asked  him 
to  explain,  he  said,  *  They  commenced  by  Christianizing 
instead  of  civilizing;  for  instance,  there  is  not  a  Protestant 
Armenian  family  in  Constantinople  with  whom  the  mission 
aries  associate  precisely  as  among  themselves.'  The  man 
who  uttered  that  complaint  had  received  more  at  the  hands 
of  the  missionaries  than  almost  any  other  Protestant  at  the 
Capital.  He  was  taken,  a  poor  boy,  into  the  Mission  Sem 
inary  and  educated ;  and  afterward,  because  he  preferred 
to  go  into  business,  was  helped  to  a  good  situation  in  the 
United  States ;  on  his  return  he  was  received  into  the  fam 
ily  of  his  teacher,  sat  at  his  table  almost  as  a  son,  and  in 
every  way  was  kindly  assisted  to  lay  the  foundation  of  his 
fortune.  I  think,  however,  he  was  feeling  more  for  his 
people  than  for  himself.  He  was  impatient  for  results,  and 
wanted  them  to  leap,  at  one  bound,  into  the  enjoyment  of 
all  that  other  nations  have  secured  after  centuries  of  painful 
struggles  and  costly  sacrifices  —  not  infrequently  the  cul 
mination  of  trnits  transmitted,  and  character  built  up  by  a 
godly  ancestry. 

LITTLE  ROSA,  THE  SPIRIT-CHILD. 
ie  I  had  an  experience,  soon  after  the  commencement  of 
my  missionary  life,  which  threw  much  light  on  this  point. 
The  youngest  pupil  in  the  boarding-school  was  a  pretty 
child  of  ten  years,  with  fair  complexion,  and  the  bright  blue 
eyes  that  are  so  rarely  seen  among  Armenians.  But  little 


64  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

Rosa  was  very  sad  and  depressed ;  nothing  seemed  to  rouse 
her  from  her  apathy.  '  The  assistant  teachers  said  she  was 
home-sick  and  stupid  ;  I  pitied  the  poor  little  creature,  so 
far  a\vay  from  her  mother,  and  with  no  friend  in  Constan 
tinople  to  furnish  her  a  home  during  the  holidays ;  and 
finally  took  her  under  my  wing,  providing  for  her  necessi 
ties  from  my  own  supplies,  and  making  most  of  her  cloth 
ing  myself.  This  love  and  care  produced  an  almost  magical 
effect  upon  the  child  ;  her  face  brightened,  her  mind  waked 
up,  and  she  seemed  another  being.  Her  schoolmates  were 
pleased  ;  they  called  her  the  Varzhoohi's  hokee-zavag — spirit- 
child  (/.  e.,  adopted),  and  expressed  their  entire  approval 
of  the  relation.  But  after  two  years  had  passed,  I  one  day 
received  a  letter  from  Rosa,  bitterly  complaining  because  I 
did  not  do  more  for  her  ;  and  I  said  to  myself,  '  I  see  that 
I  have  done  too  much  for  you,  young  lady.'  With  the  con 
sent  of  the  '  Station  ' — /.  e.,  the  missionaries  who  conduct 
the  business  of  the  station — I  placed  her  in  a  good  Protest 
ant  family,  to  pay  her  own  way  by  assisting  in  light  domestic 
work  and  care  of  the  little  children.  When  she  returned 
to  the  school,  two  years  later,  she  was  fully  prepared  to 
appreciate  its  privileges,  and  her  grateful,  humble  deport 
ment,  was  sufficient  proof  of  the  good  the  change  had 
accomplished.  It  is  human  nature,  B.  Kavork. 

"  I  often  think  of  the  colored  preacher's  climax  to  his  set 
mon  on  the  fall  of  man.  After  an  original  reproduction  of 
the  conversation  which  took  place  when  Adam  and  Eve  had 
sinned,  he  thus  portrayed  the  sequel  :  '  Den  de  Lord  he 
take  dem  bof  and  tro'  dem  ober  de  fence,  and  say,  "  Dere, 
now  !  go  work  for  your  libbin  !  "  That  is  God's  way,  is  it  not  ? 
Look  at  the  Apostle  Paul's  experience  among  the  Corinth- 


ADABAZAR.  65 


ians.  Hear  him  say,  '  I  determined  not  to  know  anything 
among  you  save  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified.'  That  is 
the  principle  upon  which  the  missionaries  are  sent  out  to 
work — the  preaching  of  Christ  first  and  last.  Incidentally 
they  may  teach  many  other  good  things  which  shall  help  in 
temporal  affairs,  but  that  is  entirely  a  secondary  matter. 
Civilization  as  surely  follows  in  the  footsteps  of  Christianity, 
as  the  fruits  of  the  earth  spring  up  beneath  the  warming 
rays  of  the  sun.  You  find  no  hospitals,  orphanages,  asy 
lums,  reformatories,  colleges  (or  schools  worthy  the  name) 
in  pagan  lands  ;  no  railways,  steamships,  telegraphs,  or  print 
ing-presses.  '  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them,'  and  these 
are  the  fruits  of  Gospel  lands.  You  know  that  there  was 
no  hospital  in  Constantinople,  nothing  but  a  horrible  *  mad 
house,'  till  the  Christianity  of  other  lands  established  those 
humane  institutions  in  the  capital  of  the  Ottoman  Empire. 
But  perhaps  you  never  knew  that  the  first  hospital  in  the 
world  was  founded  there  in  the  time  of  Chrysostom  !  When 
the  light  of  a  pure  Christianity  died  out  under  long  and 
unrelenting  persecution,  its  fruits  also  disappeared. 

THE  REAL    WRONG. 

"  The  fact  is,  B.  Kavork,  the  great  wrong  that  has  been 
done  to  your  people  is  just  that  of  which  Paul  wrote  : 
'  Have  I  committed  an  offence  in  abasing  myself  that  you 
might  be  exalted  ?  because  I  have  preached  to  you  the 
gospel  of  God  freely?  I  robbed  other  churches,  taking 
wages  of  them  to  do  you  service.  And  when  I  was  present 
with  you,  I  was  chargeable  to  no  man.'  You  were  speaking 
the  other  day  about  the  very  small  wages  the  missionaries 


66  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


give  to  the  Protestant  Armenian  preachers.  Let  me  tell 
you  how  the  opposite  course  has  worked  in  another  place 
in  this  part  of  the  land. 

"  The  missionaries  at  Constantinople  sent  one  of  the  old 
est  and  most  experienced  of  the  Protestant  pastors  from  the 
Capital,  to  be  settled  over  the  church  in  a  country  village ; 
and  as  he  had  an  expensive  family,  they  continued  his  salary 
of  1,200  piastres  a  month,  though  you  know  it  costs  much 
less  to  live  in  the  country  than  at  Stamboul.  The  work  in 
that  place  had  been  very  prosperous  till  some  root  of  bitter 
ness  sprang  up,  and  the  love  of  many  began  to  wax  cold. 
Still,  there  were  warm  Christian  hearts  in  the  church,  and 
they  only  needed  a  strong  bond  of  union  such  as  a  loving 
and  beloved  pastor  might  have  proved.  One  evening,  a 
good  brother  was  in  the  market  buying  provisions  for  his 
family,  and  among  other  things,  he  selected  a  very  large  fine 
melon ;  another  member  of  the  church  happened  to  be  near 
and  seeing  it  said,  *  Brother,  what  are  you  going  to  do  with 
that  great  melon  with  your  small  family?  '  'O,'  replied  the 
other,  ;  it  is  not  for  myself;  I  am  buying  it  as  a  present  for 
our  pastor!'  'What  foolishness!'  exclaimed  his  friend. 
'Why  should  you  make  him  a  present?  Don't  you  know 
that  he  gets  more  money  in  a  month  than  you  or  I  can  make 
in  half-a-dozen  !  ' 

"  That  checked  the  outgushing  of  the  good  man's  heart, 
and  he  threw  back  the  melon.  Now  think  of  the  loss  of 
love  and  sympathy  between  that  pastor  and  his  people.  He 
was  to  them  a  '  hireling?  and  they  could  never  expect  to  make 
him  their  very  own  by  supporting  him  themselves,  unless 
his  salary  should  be  proportioned  to  their  means.  Our 
home-missionaries  in  America  arc  supported  in  this  way. 


ADABAZAR.  6/ 


Some  of  the  noblest  and  best  educated  men  and  women  go 
voluntarily  into  the  Western  wilderness  on  very  small  sala 
ries.  They  share  the  poverty  of  their  people,  endure  great 
hardships  and  privations,  and  by-and-by,  when  better  days 
come — it  may  be  after  many  years  of  patient  toil — they  reap 
of  their  prosperity.  You  see  the  difference  between  the 
foreign  and  home  workers." 

DIFFERENCE  BETWEEN    WORK  FOR   JEWS,  AND 
WORK  FOR    GENTILES. 

"  Do  you  remember  what  the  Master  said  to  His  disciples 
after  He  had  trained  them  for  missionary  work,  and  was 
about  to  send  them  forth  to  preach  among  their  own  peo 
ple  ?  *  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give  :  Provide  neither 
gold,  nor  silver,  nor  brass  in  your  purses ;  nor  scrip  for  your 
journey,  neither  two  coats,  neither  shoes  nor  yet  staves :  for  the 
workman  is  worthy  of  his  meat.'  But  just  before  His  cruci 
fixion,  He  said,  '  When  I  sent  you  without  purse,  and  scrip, 
and  shoes,  lacked  ye  anything?  and  they  said,  Nothing.' 
And  then  He  said  to  them,  *  But  now,  he  that  hath  a  purse, 
let  him  take  it,  and  likewise  his  scrip ;'  because  He  knew  that 
they  would  soon  be  scattered  abroad  among  the  Gentiles. 
It  was  to  the  Gentile  churches  that  Paul  wrote  of  his  being 
'  chargeable  to  no  man  '  in  his  Apostolic  work ;  but  he  says 
also,  *  If  we  have  sown  unto  you  in  spiritual  things,  is  it  a 
great  thing  if  we  shall  reap  your  carnal  things  ? '  and  exhorts 
them  to  abound  in  this  grace  also,  providing  not  only  for  their 
own  teachers,  but  also  making  some  return  to  the  '  saints  at 
Jerusalem,'  adding — '  For  if  the  Gentiles  have  been  made 
partakers  of  their  spiritual  things,  their  duty  is  also  to  min 
ister  unto  them  in  carnal  things.'  Now  it  is  not  expected 


68  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


that  your  people  will  support  us  foreign  teachers,  but  only 
your  own  home-missionaries,  and  that  to  promote  your  high 
est  good  and  greatest  growth  in  all  the  Christian  graces." 

"Well,"  said  B.  Kavork,  after  giving  me  a  patient  hearing, 
"  let  us  learn  from  you  how  to  work,  so  that  we  may  not 
always  be  dependent.  The  missionaries  come  occasionally 
on  Saturday  evening,  spend  a  communion  Sabbath,  and  go 
away  early  Monday  morning.  Why  not  stay  longer  and 
counsel  us  ?  inquire  more  particularly  into  the  state  of  the 
church  and  Protestant  community,  and  guide  us  in  our 
affairs  ?  " 

I  hinted  at  a  lack  of  humility  on  their  part;  he  frankly 
acknowledged  the  fact,  and  then  went  on  to  make  an  esti 
mate  of  their  pecuniary  ability.  "  Of  the  forty  members  of 
the  Adabazar  Church,  twenty  are  able  to  pay  something; 
fifteen  earn  but  little  more  than  their  daily  bread;  five 
have  a  competence ;  the  rest  merely  make  a  living,  no 
more." 

For  taxes,  contributions  to  aid  in  church  expenses,  the 
school,  etc.  —  including  the  collections  of  the  Mothers' 
Society,  and  the  children's  offerings — the  sum  which  the 
Protestants  paid  last  year,  amounted  to  14,000  piastres — • 
$560.00.  He  candidly  acknowledged  that  the  tendency  of 
help  from  other  sources  was  to  diminish  their  own  contribu 
tions;  saying,  "  It  amounts  to  this  :  if  I  am  able  to  pay  twenty 
piastres,  I  pay  only  fifteen,  so  long  as  I  know  it  will  come 
from  another  quarter."  His  good  wife  nodded  assent,  and 
turning  tome  earnestly  said,  "  That 's  so !"  and  I  thought, 
"You  wouldn't  pay  aiiything  if  you  could  help  it;  for  that 
is  human  nature  the  world  over!" 


ADABAZAR.  69 


THE   CONCLUSION  OF   THE    WHOLE  MATTER. 

I  spoke  of  ingratitude,  and  quoted  some  things  said  by 
the  disaffected  ones,  and  they  both  exclaimed,  "  It  is  all 
wrong!"  "Why,"  said  B.  Kavork,  "if  I  have  a  cow  that 
gives  me  milk,  I  learn  to  love  that  cow." 

He  was  present  at  a  meeting  with  some  of  the  complain 
ing  brethren,  and  asked  them  these  questions :  "  Do  you  say, 
'  What  have  the  missionaries  done  for  us  ?'  Who  gave  us  the 
Word  of  God  in  our  spoken  language  ?  The  missionaries. 
Who  prepared  books  and  printed  them  ?  The  missionaries. 
Who  opened  and  taught  the  schools  ?  The  missionaries. 
Who  raised  up  preachers  ?  Who  employed  colporteurs  ? 
The  missionaries.  And  what  have  we  done  ?  No  answer.' 
And  he  added,  after  a  moment's  pause,  "  We  have  been 
children  long  enough  ;  it  is  time  for  us  to  be  married — that 
is,  be  men — and  support  ourselves  !" 

"  And  that,"  I  rejoined,  "  is  just  what  the  missionaries 
want  you  to  do." 

We  sat  till  a  late  hour  that  evening  conversing  on  this 
deeply  interesting  subject,  so  vital  to  the  establishment  of 
Christ's  kingdom  among  their  people ;  and  the  discussion 
was  resumed  the  following  day.  I  asked  B.  Kavork  how 
much  it  cost  him  to  live,  and  he  said  from  6,500  to  8,000 
piastres  per  annum — about  $260  to  $320 — if  he  had  to  hire 
a  house,  it  would  cost  another  thousand.  I  then  asked  him 
whether  the  worldly  condition  of  the  disaffected  Protestants 
would  really  be  better  had  they  remained  in  their  own  na 
tion,  supposing  that  the  missionaries  had  never  come,  in 
stancing  one  of  their  leaders.  He  said,  "  I  will  tell  you  ; 
I  know  just  what  he  was,  and  what  he  now  would  be.  The 


70  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

tailors  steal  pieces  of  cloth  and  sell  them  to  people,  who  sell 
them  to  those  who  make  them  up  into  garments  :  he  would 
be  a  piece-maker." 

Afterwards  the  sturdy,  out-spoken  brother  and  I  had  a 
pleasant  talk  about  some  of  his  plans  for  his  people,  one  of 
which  was  to  procure  a  small  printing-press,  and  have  B. 
Alexan  prepare  leaflets,  Sabbath-school  songs,  etc.,  for  circu 
lation.  One  of  the  school-boys  was  learning  the  business 
at  Constantinople,  and  his  own  boys  could,  he  thought, 
translate  little  books  from  English  into  Armenian. 

This  was  really  getting  at  the  bottom  of  things  —  the 
under-current  of  thought  and  feeling ;  and  I  felt  that  the 
insight  would  be  invaluable  in  my  future  labors  among  the 
people.  My  note-book  received  full  additions  in  the  very 
words  used  on  the  occasion,  and  I  was  led  to  query  whether, 
indeed,  there  had  been  a  radical  evil  from  the  first,  in  the 
distance  between  the  missionaries  and  the  people  whom  they 
were  seeking  to  evangelize.  Does  our  style  of  dress  and 
living,  however  plain  and  simple  it  may  seem  to  us,  strike 
the  masses  as  high  in  comparison  with  their  own  standard  ? 
Could  we  conform  to  the  people  in  any  degree  ?  These 
problems  were  the  more  forcibly  presented  to  my  mind  by 
my  host  asking,  now  and  then,  if  I  was  "  content  with  their 
way  of  living?"  I  mentally  reviewed  the  early  days  of  my 
connection  with  the  Constantinople  school,  where  I  found  a 
system  established,  and  had  to  build,  as  the  Apostle  says, 
"  upon  another  man's  foundation."  Could  one  begin  at  the 
beginning  with  this  intimate  knowledge  of  the  people,  what 
a  gain  it  would  prove  !  how  many  mistakes  might  be  avoided 
in  laying  foundations,  and  establishing  precedents  which  have 
such  weight  with  Orientals,  among  whom  the  sway  of  cus- 


ADABAZAR. 


torn  is  all-powerful.  I  felt  unfit  for  the  work :  "  Who  is 
sufficient  for  these  things  ?"  And  then  I  thought  of  our 
Great  Prototype,  "  Who  suffered  for  us,  leaving  us  an  exam 
ple  that  we  should  follow  in  his  steps  :  who,  when  he  was 
reviled,  reviled  not  again  :  when  he  suffered  he  threatened  not, 
but  committed  himself — his  cause — to  Him  that  judgeth  right 
eously."  And  again  I  heard  Him  say,  "  IF  ANY  MAN  SERVE 

ME,  LET  HIM  FOLLOW  ME." 

Of  one  thing  I  was  assured — that  nothing  less  than  pa 
tient,  self-denying,  self-sacrificing  LOVE  could  ensure  per 
manent  success  in  missionary  work.  The  love  of  a  mother 
for  her  children,  however  sickly,  fretful,  wayward,  and  self- 
conceited  ;  and  the  greater  love  of  Christ,  which  "  beareth 
all  things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all  things,  endureth 
all  things."  To  lack  this  DIVINE  ELEMENT  is  to  lack  every 
thing.* 


*  Of  one  who,  though  reared  among  the  cultured  aristocracy  of 
England,  with  all  the  fastidiousness  and  refinement  of  gentle  breed 
ing,  was  eminently  successful  in  teaching  the  poor  and  ignorant,  it 
was  written  :  "  It  seemed  a  marvel  that  one  whose  knowledge  lay  so 
much  more  in  books  than  in  men;  whose  mind  was  both  by  nature 
and  by  culture  raised  above  the  common  standard,  should  conde 
scend  to  men  of  low  estate.  The  poverty  of  their  minds,  their  ina 
bility  to  follow  a  train  of  reasoning,  their  prejudices  and  supersti 
tions  were  quite  unknown  to  him.  But  the  mystery  found  its  key  in 
the  simplicity  which  belongs  to  the  substance,  not  the  shadow  of 
learning.  The  chief  means,  however,  by  which  the  want  of  experi 
ence  and  knowledge  touching  the  minds  and  habits  of  the  poor  was 
overcome,  was  the  love  he  felt  toward  all  his  fellow-creatures,  and  his 
sympathy  in  all  their  concerns  ;  this  CHRIST-LIKE  MIND,  toward 
friends,  toward  servants,  toward  all.  It  now  taught  him  to  talk  to  his 
poor  parishioners  and  enter  into  their  interests  with  the  feeling  of  a 
father  and  a  friend.  He  had  the  power  of  throwing  himself  out  of 
himself  into  the  feelings  and  interests  of  others;  nor  did  he  less  draw 
out  their  sympathies  into  his  own,  and  make  them  sharers  in  his 


THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


FLITTIXG  OF  HOME  MISSIONARIES. 
Wednesday  morning  I  went  with  Aroosiag,  Prappion.  and 
the  pastor's  mother,  to  call  upon  the  family  of  an  excellent 
helper  who  had  been  recently  appointed  to  Xicomedia.  We 
found  them  packing  their  effects,  and  preparing  to  leave  the 
old  homestead.  It  was  a  rude,  rough  dwelling,  with  great 
cracks  in  the  floors  and  mud  walls  ;  and  the  unfinished  raft 
ers  overhead  made  me  think  of  the  upper  loft  of  an  old- 
fashioned  barn.  But  it  was  dear  to  them.  They  were  good- 
looking,  intelligent  people,  and  I  was  much  interested  and 
pleased  with  their  frankness,  simplicity,  and  genuine  hos 
pitality.  The  father,  an  open-hearted,  genial  man,  told  the 
friends  that  they  should  keep  open  house  for  all  who  should 
come  to  see  them  in  their  new  home.  When  I  asked  them 
if  they  disliked  to  go,  they  said,  "We  are  ready  and  willing 


pleasures  and  concerns.  It  was  the  mutual  interchange  of  feeling  of 
one  who  loved  to  forget  the  difference  of  station  to  which  each  was 
called,  and  to  bring  forward  the  brotherly  union  as  members  of  one 
family  in  Christ,  children  of  the  same  Heavenly  Father,  in  which 
blessed  equality  all  distinctions  were  done  away.  Often  would  he 
ask  their  counsel  in  matters  of  which  he  was  ignorant,  and  call  upon 
their  sympathy  in  his  thankful  rejoicing.  His  garden,  his  ha}-  field, 
his  house  were,  as  it  were,  thrown  open  to  them,  as  he  made  them 
partakers  of  his  enjoyment,  or  sought  for  their  assistance  in  his  need. 
In  him  they  found  a  friend  ready  to  listen  to  all  their  little  grievances, 
and  prompt  to  remedy  them  when  it  was  possible  to  do  so.  Nor  did 
those  simple-minded  people  fail  to  look  on  him  with  reverence  when, 
seated  in  his  study,  in  the  midst  of  his  books,  they  beheld  the  sources 
whence  he  drew  so  much  of  knowledge  and  wisdom.  He  threw  aside 
at  once  the  more  regular  form  of  sermons  to  which  he  had  been 
accustomed,  and  wrote  down  as  if  he  had  been  speaking,  and  in  the 
plainest  words,  such  simple  instruction  as  seemed  suited  to  the  wants 
of  the  people  untaught  in  the  first  rudiments  of  Christian  faith."- 
That  man  was  a  mcu'il  misswnaiy  !  Clothing  his  thoughts  in  language 


ADABAZAR.  73 


to  go  where  the  Lord's  \vork  calls  us;"  and  the  mother, 
who  looked  worn  and.  weary,  added,  "  Where  we  can  best 
serve  the  Lord,  there  is  the  best  place  for  us  to  live  ;  other 
wise,  we  should  prefer  to  stay  in  our  own  native  place." 
Their  son,  a  fine  youth  of  eighteen  years,  who  worked  at 
the  trade  of  silversmith,  was  assisting  them,  and  the  three 
younger  children  looked  bright.  One  or  two  relatives  had 
come  in  to  help,  and  I  was  pleased  to  hear  a  tall,  cheerful- 
looking  man  humming,  "  Try,  try  again  !" 

A  low  stool  was  given  me,  and  the  others  sat  on  cushions 
wherever  they  could  find  a  corner;  and  the  work  went  on, 
enlivened  by  cheerful  conversation,  and  many  a  pleasant 
turn  from  the  good  brother  who  was  superintending.  After 
a  little,  the  wife  sat  down  and  uncovered  her  foot,  which  had 


suited  to  their  capacity,  he  drew  copious  illustrations  from  the  com 
monest  things  which  he  witnessed  in  their  daily  life,  in  his  walks  and 
visits  among  them.  Thus  imitating  Him  of  whom  it  was  said,  "  the 
common  people  heard  Him  gladly."  How  the  people,  the  poor 
est  and  most  ignorant,  loved  and  listened  to  him !  how  they 
treasured  up  his  words,  which,  in  due  time,  brought  forth  precious 
fruit  to  the  glory  of  God  !  When  reading  the  Word,  of  God,  they 
could  never  forget  his  injunction,  "  Settle  your  thoughts  on  what  you 
read,  and  try  to  suck  the  honey  out  of  it,  like  the  bees."  Nor,  when 
troubled  at  their  slow  progress,  this  comparison, — "  You  can  no 
more  see  a  Christian  grow,  than  you  can  see  the  corn  grow.  Com 
pare  it  with  what  it  \vas  two  months  back.  So  may  you  discover 
whether  you  have  grown  in  grace."  Or  this,  "  How  often  do  we 
see  the  sinner  perched  on  the  dunghill  of  his  vices,  clapping  his 
wings  in  self-applause,  and  fancying  himself  a  much  grander  creature 
than  the  poor  Christian,  who-all  the  while  is  soaring  on  high  like  a 
lark,  and  mounting  on  his  way  to  heaven."*  This  method  of  instruc 
tion  is  admirably  suited  to  the  Oriental  mind. 


Memorials  of  a  Quiet  Life,"  by  Augustus  J.  C.  Hare. 

4 


74  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


been  badly  scalded.  It  was  a  deep  burn,  covering  the  entire 
foot,  and  yet  the  poor  woman  had  gone  on  with  her  work 
uncomplainingly.  A  dish  of  excellent  apples  was  brought 
in  by  the  merry  "  superintendent,"  of  which  we  partook, 
and  then  bade  them  good-bye. 

The  parting  between  the  sisters  in  Christ  was  affect 
ing  :  they  clung  to  each  other's  neck,  while  tears  silently 
flowed. 

THE  MISSION  MOTHERS'   MEETING. 

Ten  or  twelve  of  the  sisters  were  going  down  to  the  river- 
quates,  two  miles  away,  to  hold  their  mothers'  meeting,  and 
stopped  for  us,  soon  after  the  "  mid-day  call  "  of  the  muez 
zin,  which  served  in  place  of  a  "  town  clock !  "  The  heat 
was  still  very  oppressive,  and  the  air  heavy ;  and  as  my  .shawl 
was  too  cumbersome,  and  Eastern  custom  rendered  a  "  cover 
ing  "  imperative,  I  again  donned  the  muslin  veil.  The  sis 
ters  nodded  approvingly,  and  said,  "  Now  you  are  one  of 
us !  "  They  carried  their  knitting-work  of  coarse  woolen 
hose,  and  swiftly  plied  the  needles  as  they  walked — (using 
but  three,  instead  of  our  customary  four,  and  commencing 
at  the  toe,  where  we  finish!)  When  we  had  passed  beyond 
the  houses,  set  in  the  midst  of  gardens,  and  had  come  out 
into  the  open  fields,  the  little  band  commenced  singing,  as  if 
it  were  a  customary  thing, — 

"Joyfully,  joyfully,  onward  we  move." 

And  then  we  chatted  as  we  walked,  and  many  questions 
were  asked  about  spiritual  things  by  the  simple-minded  sis 
ters.  It  was  a  happy  company  of  Christian  women.  Sara, 
the  sister  of  preacher  Alexan,  had  taken  her  sturdy  boy  of 


ADABAZAR.  75 


two  years,  who  soon  became  tired  of  walking,  and  his  mother 
shouldered  the  little  fellow  the  remainder  of  the  way.  Now 
and  then  we  rested  in  some  shady  spot,  to  relieve  the  weary 
mother,  who  was  reluctant  to  share  her  load  with  the  willing 
hands  that  offered,  and  when  the  river  Sakaria  (the  ancient 
"  Sangarius  "),  which  empties  into  the  Black  Sea,  was  seen 
glistening  in  the  sunlight,  and  our  path  lay  along  its  banks, 
one  of  the  party  commenced  singing,  "  Shining-Shore,"  and 
a  full  chorus  rang  out  upon  the  still  air.  Pleasant  greetings 
awaited  our  coming  from  the  four  or  five  sisters  and  their 
children  living  in  that  distant  quarter,  and  I  found  it  was 
the  custom  of  those  in  town  to  adjourn  their  regular  weekly 
prayer-meetings  to  that  place,  once  in  three  or  four  weeks, 
because  it  was  so  far  for  them  to  come  in  every  time. 

We  were  shown  into  the  upper-room  of  a  new  house ;  the 
floors  were  clean,  but  there  was  no  furniture,  and  not  a  pane 
of  glass  to  the  windows,  only  heavy  wooden  shutters.  It 
was  Sara's  turn  to  lead  the  meeting,  but  she  requested  me  to 
take  her  place.  I  declined,  because  I  wished  to  see  how 
they  did  when  by  themselves.  As  no  missionary  family  had 
ever  lived  in  Adabazar,  I  fancied  that  the  sisters  had  devel 
oped  more  self-reliance  than  if  accustomed  to  lean  upon  a 
"  hanum,"  or  lady,  as  they  style  the  wife  of  a  missionary. 

She  was  flushed  and  heated  with  carrying  her  boy,  and 
Prappion  gave  out  the  hymn,  and  read  at  her  request  the  i3th 
of  John.  Sara  then  offered  an  excellent  prayer,  and,  still  hold 
ing  her  child  in  her  arms,  spoke  of  our  Savior's  prayer  for 
His  disciples ;  of  their  great  responsibility  as  mothers,  and 
their  duty  to  each  other.  I  took  part  in  the  free  and  informal 
interchange  of  thought  and  feeling  which  followed,  and  was 
much  touched  by  the  child-like  simplicity  of  some  of  the 


76  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

expressions  and  prayers  offered  by  those  earnest  Christian 
women. 

Before  the  meeting  closed,  Sara  opened  her  bundle,  and 
took  out  the  "  Society-book,"  containing  subscribers'  names, 
etc.,  and  two  of  the  women  paid  their  dues.  There  were 
twenty  members,  some  paying  40  paras  monthly,  and  some 
25,  and  others  even  less.  115  piastres  were  collected  the 
last  year  in  that  way  for  the  support  and  spread  of  the 
Gospel.  When  I  saw  the  account,  I  repeated,  "  Little  drops 
of  water,  little  grains  of  sand,"  etc.  After  a  few  final 
words  of  our  Father's  House,  where  we  hoped  to  meet 
and  spend  an  eternity  together,  we  bade  them  farewell,  and 
started  on  our  return.  At  the  river-side  I  refreshed  my 
self  with  bread  and  grapes,  not  having  eaten  since  a  late 
breakfast. 

A  strong  wind  sent  clouds  of  dust  flying  into  our  eyes, 
and  great  drops  of  rain  falling  every  now  and  then,  made  us 
quicken  our  steps.  I  was  very  weary,  my  head  aching  sadly 
when  we  arrived  at  the  house ;  and  when  my  host  came 
home,  he  kindly  inquired  after  my  welfare,  and  said  that  he 
had  several  times  thought  of  sending  a  horse  for  me. 

THE    YERKERAN. 

Preacher  Alexan  came  in  one  evening  for  a  little  visit. 
We  were  grouped  around  the  great  brass  candlestick,  which 
stood  on  the  floor  holding  a  tallow  candle  that  needed 
repeated  snuffing  to  furnish  light  sufficient  to  read.  An 
hour  or  two  passed  pleasantly  away  in  conversation,  relat 
ing  anecdotes,  and  singing.  While  we  were  learning  a 
new  piece — the  hymn,  a  fine  translation  of  the  "  Wayfaring 
Man,"  by  the  young  pastor — we  heard  another  strain, 


ADABAZAR.  77 


and  pausing,  a  full  chorus  came  from  the  hall  where  the  chil 
dren  were  laid  away  to  rest  for  the  night.  "  Happy  Land  ;  " 
"  Sing  His  Praise ;  "  "  Cross  and  Crown  ;  "  "  Around  the 
throne  of  God  in  heaven ; "  followed  each  other  in  quick 
succession.  It  was  inspiring,  and  I  thought  of  the  words  of 
a  wise  man,  rt  Let  me  make  the  songs  of  the  nation,  I  care 
not  who  makes  its  laws !  "  "  Precious  little  book  !  "  I  said, 
as  we  again  turned  to  look  over  the  pages  of  the  "Yer- 
keran."  "I  am  thankful  for  you,  my  Armenian  friends,  that 
God  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  His  servants  to  prepare  these 
songs  for  you  and  your  children."  "  We  also  are  thankful  !  " 
they  responded,  "both  to  God  and  to  the  missionaries."  As 
we  sang  one  and  another  of  those  sweet  Sunday-school  songs, 
we  recalled  the  name  of  the  missionary  who  wrote  or  trans 
lated  it.  We  spoke  of  singing  in  heaven,  and  that  opened  a 
delightful  conversation  about  the  employments  of  our  future 
home.  And  good  Aroosiag  had  many  questions  to  ask,  showing 
a  bright  but  undisciplined  mind.  When  speaking  of  degrees 
in  heaven,  she  said,  "  I  thought  it  meant  that  the  best  and 
wisest  would  be  up  high  in  a  room  by  themselves ;  the  next 
best  lower  down,  and  so  on,  just  as  in  a  house ;  some  would 
be  down  in  the  dark  near  the  kitchen ;  but,"  she  added  with 
glowing  face,  "  let  me  but  get  safely  there,  I  '11  take  the  low 
est  seat !  "  "  Dear  soul !  "  I  thought,  "  how  much  higher  she 
will  rise  in  the  heavenly  world,  than  some  of  earth's  wisest 
ones  who  know  not  Christ !  *  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.'  " 

We  spoke  of  capacity,  as  the  measure  of  happiness  in  the 
future  state ;  that  every  soul  would  be  as  full  as  it  could 
hold,  but  some  would  contain  much  more  than  others, 
because  they  had  been  receptive,  and  had  grown,  on  earth  : — 


78  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

"  For  unto  every  one  that  hath,  shall  be  given,  and  he  shall 
have  abundance ;  but  from  him  that  hath  not,  shall  be  taken 
away  even  that  which  he  hath — seemeth  to  have,  or*thinketh 
that  he  hath."  The  pastor  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  what 
ever  is  good  and  beautiful  in  this  world,  will  be  found  in 
perfection  there.  I  saw  that  he  had  been  reading  "  Dick's 
Philosophy  of  a  Future  State."  I  told  them  of  "Dummy," 
as  she  was  familiarly  called  by  the  neighbors  :  a  woman  about 
forty  years  of  age — a  mute,  who  once  lived  with  my  mother 
as  a  servant.  That  she  was  greatly  distressed  because  she 
thought  that  when  she  died  and  went  to  heaven,  she  would 
be  so  ignorant  that  she  would  have  to  sit  alone  in  a  corner 
and  study,  while  all  the  rest  were  enjoying  themselves !  and 
her  intense  satisfaction  and  delight,  when  I  caused  her  to 
understand — by  the  language  of  signs — that  God  could 
make  her  wiser  in  a  moment  than  all  earthly  teachers  in 
years.  They  were  greatly  interested  in  the  workings  of  such 
an  isolated  mind,  and  especially  to  know  the  process  and 
the  argument  by  which  I  finally  acquired  her  consent  to 
leave  my  home  and  friends  :  the  simple  fact  that  I  was  going 
to  teach  the  ignorant  the  way  to  heaven  !  And  that  Jed  us 
to  speak  about  the  Bible,  that  wonderful  Text-book,  and 
fountain  of  all  wisdom  which  the  Great  Father  had  pre 
pared  for  His  children ;  and  its  translation  from  their  ancient, 
dead  language,  into  the  modern,  spoken  language  of  the 
people. 

"  THE   GOD-BREA  TIL" 

The  Armenians  profess  to  have  been  converted  from 
paganism  to  Christianity,  early  in  the  Christian  era.  Until 
the  fourth  century,  the  Bible  was  read  in  Chaldee  in  their 
churches,  when  the  language  was  reduced  to  writing  by 


ADABAZAR.  79 


Mesrob,  a  royal  secretary  who  invented  the  Armenian  alpha 
bet  of  thirty-eight  letters — somewhat  resembling  Greek — 
and  translated  the  Word  of  God  from  the  Septuagint.  For 
centuries  it  had  lain  entombed  in  the  massive  stone  churches 
profusely  scattered  over  the  land,  wrapped,  mummy-like,  in 
embroidered  cloths,  and  only  brought  forth  from  its  sarco 
phagus  on  special  occasions  for  the  people  to  reverently  kiss, 
and  again  hidden  in  the  deep  darkness  of  those  gloomy 
vaults  to  await  its  resurrection  day.  The  ages  slowly  swept 
round  their  cycles,  till  the  day  appointed  in  heaven's  calen 
dar.  And  then,  as  at  the  first,  God  said,  "  Let  there  be  light, 
and  there  was  light !  " 

"  Asdavadzaschoonch," — God-breath — is  the  Armenian 
word  for  Bible.  It  was  indeed  a  "valley  of  dry  bones" 
into  which  the  breath  of  life  entered,  and  a  nation  awoke 
from  the  sleep  of  ages !  for  "  there  is  a  spirit  in  man,  and 
the  inspiration  of  the  Almighty  giveth  understanding." 

The  modern  Armenian  version  of  the  Scriptures  is  so 
pure  and  classical  that  it  will  be  the  standard  of  the  lan 
guage  for  future  generations.  This  translation  was  the  work 
of  Dr.  Riggs  of  Constantinople,  whose  Chaldee  grammar, 
prepared  when  he  was  a  student  in  his  minority  at  Amherst 
College,  is  now  the  standard  text-book  in  the  University  of 
Edinburgh,  Scotland. 

FEEDING  THE  LAMBS,  AND  FEEDING  THE  SHEEP. 
At  ten  o'clock  on  Friday  morning,  I  accompanied  Aroo- 
siag  to  the  chapel  to  attend  the  weekly  lecture  for  women  by 
the  pastor.  We  were  quite  early,  and  visited  the  school 
room  on  the  lower  floor.  B.  Alexan  was  surrounded  by 
fifty  children,  from  four  to  fourteen  years  of  age — a  rather 


SO  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

rough-looking  company,  full  of  motion.  They  sang  for  us  in 
Armenian,  "  How  doth  the  little  busy  bee ;  "  "  Try,  try 
again;  "  and  "  Happy  Land,"  at  the  top  of  their  voices.  It 
was  ear-splitting !  Then  one  and  another  came  with  a  brief 
written  exercise,  on  slate  or  paper,  for  the  teacher  to  correct. 
B.  Alexan  told  us  of  his  resolution  at  the  commencement  of 
this  school,  not  to  get  angry,  but  to  make  his  scholars  love 
him,  and  then  gradually  reduce  them  to  order,  with  their  o\vn 
consent  and  good  feeling.  His  younger  brother  was  going 
about  as  monitor.  Some  of  the  older  pupils  had  made  com 
mendable  progress  in  English,  and  a  couple  of  boys  trans 
lated  quite  correctly  from  the  New  Testament.  Their  teacher 
had  succeeded  in  inspiring  them  with  something  of  his  own 
spirit,  and  his  musical  ability  was  turned  to  excellent  account 
in  the  management  of  a  flock  so  unaccustomed  to  restraint. 
"  Next  to  theology,"  said  Luther,  "  it  is  to  music  that  I  give  the 
highest  place  and  the  greatest  honor.  A  schoolmaster  ought 
to  know  how  to  sing;  without  this  qualification  I  would  have 
nothing  to  do  with  him."  Occasionally  the  exercises  were 
varied,  and  the  monotony  relieved  by  a  verse  or  two  of 
some  lively  song,  reminding  one  of  the  words  of  a  dis 
tinguished  overseer  of  an  institution  for  juvenile  offenders  in 
Berlin  :  "  I  always  keep  these  little  rogues  singing  at  their 
work,  for  while  the  children  sing,  the  devil  cannot  come  in  ; 
he  can  only  sit  outdoors  there  and  growl !  " 

B.  Alexan  left  his  younger  brother  in  charge  of  the  school, 
while  he  delivered  a  plain,  practical,  yet  most  appropriate 
and  excellent  lecture  upon  obedience,  in  the  chapel-room 
above-  He  spoke  of  the  virtue  as  characterizing  both 
parents  and  children.  The  lecture  abounded  in  Scripture 
illustrations, — Moses  and  his  father-in-law,  Isaac,  Jacob, 


ADABAZAR.  8 1 


Ruth,  and  Naomi,  Solomon,  the  Rechabites,  and  lastly, 
the  example  of  our  blessed  Savior.  From  each  of  the 
examples  specified,  he  drew  forth  special  lessons,  and 
applied  them  to  his  hearers  in  their  various  family  relations 
and  every-day  life.  As  I  listened  to  the  admirable  dis 
course,  I  was  deeply  impressed  with  the  fact  that  no  for 
eigner  could  thus  enter  into  the  family  life  of  the  people ; 
the  preacher  had  an  Armenian  mother  and  sister,  and  had 
grown  to  manhood  among  his  people.  I  wished  there  were 
a  hundred  mothers  and  daughters  there  to  hear,  instead  of 
a  dozen  or  two  !  "  Why  this  waste  ?  " 

It  was  wise  policy  in  the  American  Board  to  make  the 
training  of  a  "  native  agency  "  one  of  their  first  and  most 
important  aims  in  evangelizing  the  Armenian  race.  In  look 
ing  over  the  early  numbers  of  the  "  Missonary  Herald,"  I 
find  it  made  very  prominent  from  the  beginning;  looking  to 
the  ultimate  establishment  of  self-propagating,  self-support 
ing  churches,  as  illustrated  in  the  Hawaiian  Islands. 

It  was  twelve  o'clock  when  we  left  the  chapel,  and  Aroo- 
siag  proposed  that  we  should  call  upon  some  of  her  wealthy 
Armenian  relatives.  The  weather  had  become  cold  and 
rainy,  and  I  demurred  a  little  when  told  that  we  should  be 
gone  three  hours,  because  I  needed  some  nourishment  for 
the  body  before  the  late  dinner,  and  proposed  that  we  should 
first  go  home.  But  my  good  hostess  was  intent  upon  her 
object,  and  replied  with  much  earnestness,  "  You  know  our 
Savior  said,  '  My  meat  is  to  do  the  will  of  Him  that  sent 
me.'  "  I  felt  rebuked  and  said  no  more.  As  we  were  pass 
ing  through  a  narrow  street,  an  Armenian  woman  came  from 
the  opposite  direction,  and  looking  me  full  in  the  face, 
exclaimed,  "  Shatan  muna !  "  —  It  is  a  Satan  !  Aroosiag  was 
4* 


82  THE    ROMANCE    OP^   MISSIONS. 


much  disturbed  at  such  an  affront  offered  to  her  guest ;  but 
it  was  now  my  turn  to  quote  Scripture  !  "  Don't  you  remem 
ber  that  Christ  said,  '  If  they  have  called  the  Master  of  the 
house  Beelzebub,  how  much  more  they  of  his  household  ? ' ' 
The  woman  probably  recognized  me  as  the  Constantinople 
"  teachercss  "  of  whom  she  had  heard,  and  took  occasion  to 
show  her  hostility  to  the  Protestants. 

THE    GOSPEL  AMONG    THE   GREAT. 

We  entered  a  spacious  court-yard,  in  the  centre  of  which 
stood  a  large,  well-built  house  ;  another  of  ample  dimensions 
occupying  one  side — the  old  family  residence  of  Aroosiag's 
mother  and  grandmother,  long  left  untenanted  because  of 
some  family  feud.  The  house  we  visited  belonged  to  her 
mother's  brother  and  his  son.  The  old  lady  was  absent,  but 
we  were  cordially  received  by  the  son's  wife — a  young  and 
lovely  woman,  whose  fair,  sweet  countenance,  at  once  won 
my  heart.  We  were  shown  into  a  large  upper  room,  where  I 
was  conducted  to  the  corner  of  the  divan.  The  lady  of  the 
house,  her  sister,  two  children,  and  a  servant-woman  with 
her  daughter,  a  girl  of  fifteen  years,  seated  themselves 
around  us,  and  in  a  few  moments  we  were  speaking  of  the 
precious  words  of  Jesus. 

Only  one  of  them  could  read — the  daughter  of  the  ser 
vant-woman  ;  and  I  noticed  that  both  she  and  her  mother 
shared  in  the  general  conversation,  as  if  members  of  the 
family. 

The  Bible  was  brought,  and  I  read  the  i4th  chapter  of 
John.  When  those  exceeding  rich  and  precious  promises 
were  unfolded  to  their  minds  by  simple  and  familiar  illus 
trations,  they  listened  eagerly  as  to  a  revelation  !  Occasion- 


ADABAZAR.  83 


ally  tears  dimmed  their  eyes,  and  again  they  sparkled  with 
pleasure,  as  the  force  and  beauty  of  some  expression  broke 
upon  their  minds ;  and  they  gave  utterance  to  their  feelings 
in  simple,  earnest  words,  which  encouraged  me  to  go  on. 
Thus  two  hours  passed  swiftly  by;  and  yet  their  hungry 
souls  were  not  satisfied.  "  O  !  "  said  our  young  hostess,  "  if 
she  would  only  stay  and  speak  to  us  often  in  this  way  !  I 
never  understood  these  things  so  clearly  as  now."  She 
promised  to  try  to  learn  to  read,  but  after  a  moment's 
thought,  wistfully  said,  "  If  I  ever  get  to  heaven,  I  shall  be  so 
ignorant,  so  much  behind  the  rest !  must  I  then  study  ?  or 
what  shall  I  do  ?  "  The  very  thought  that  troubled  poor 
Dummy ! 

A  tray  was  brought  in,  loaded  with  the  fruits  of  the  season; — 
grapes,  melons,  apples,  pears,  chestnuts,  with  bread,  cheese, 
and  honey.  When  Aroosiag  saw  the  bountiful  preparation 
made  for  our  refreshment,  she  whispered  in  my  ear,  "Are 
you  not  glad  you  came  ?  You  know  it  is  better  than  meat 
and  drink  to  do  the  will  of  our  Father  in  heaven."  The 
good  woman  seemed  indeed  to  have  feasted  on  heavenly 
manna.  She  rejoiced  that  the  way  had  been  opened 
for  a  full  presentation  of  the  truth  to  her  kinswoman 
(through  the  absence  of  the  mother  and  husband,  who  were 
opposed),  and  her  own  soul  was  refreshed.  Aroosiag  had 
informed  me  on  the  way  thither,  that  the  wife  liked  to  hear 
spiritual  conversation  ;  and  I  felt  sure  that  she  had  tried  to 
teach  her  whenever  an  opportunity  offered ;  for  the  poor 
woman  was  not  permitted  to  approach  the  Protestants,  or 
listen  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  among  them. 

When  we  were  seated  around  the  tray,  Aroosiag  told  them 
that  the  Varzhoohi  would  ask  a  blessing.     This  was  some- 


84  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

thing  new,  but  they  gladly  acquiesced,  and  afterwards  said 
as  if  much  surprised  and  pleased,  "  Why,  she  asked  God  to 
remember  the  poor !  " 

It  was  hard  to  part  with  those  new-found  friends.  They 
thanked  me  again  and  again  for  the  words  I  had  spoken ; 
and  when  I  said  that  they  were  Christ's  words  and  not  mine; 
"Yes,"  they  replied,  "but  spoken  to  us  through  your  lips." 
And  while  we  lingered  on  the  threshold,  the  servant-woman 
"lifted  up  her  voice" — like  one  of  old — and  uttered  the 
very  words  of  blessing  spoken  to  our  Savior,  as  recorded 
in  Luke  xi.  27.  It  was  so  unexpected,  and  peculiar  in 
phraseology,  from  one  wholly  ignorant  of  the  Gospel,  that  I 
felt  sure  it  must  be  an  old-time  saying  among  the  Orientals ; 
a  "  foot-print  of  past  ages." 

THE  HOME  OF  AN  EASTERN  A'ABOB. 
We  visited  another  great  house  of  Aroosiag's  kindred. 
But  it  was  plainly  evident  that  our  presence  was  not  wel 
come.  After  sitting  by  the  side  of  the  mistress  awhile,  and 
trying  in  vain  to  open  some  profitable  conversation,  we  rose 
to  leave,  and  she  then  invited  us  to  "walk  the  house," 
meaning  an  inspection  of  the  dwelling ;  a  common  prac 
tice  in  the  East,  and  often  a  great  source  of  annoyance 
to  the  missionaries  in  the  interior,  when  crowds  of  idle 
women  insist  upon  satisfying  their  curiosity  by  entering 
every  room,  and  examining  all  their  contents.  We  passed 
up  the  stairway,  and  were  shown  into  a  room  where  the 
daughter,  a  girl  of  thirteen  or  fourteen  years,  was  seated 
before  a  low  embroidery  frame,  weaving  flowers  in  a  girdle 
for  her  "  betrothed."  The  material  was  coarse,  and  the  pat 
tern  rude.  Four  young  girls  were  silting  near  her,  assisting 


ADABAZAR.  85 


with  their  needles  in  the  preparations  for  her  approaching 
marriage.  These,  we  learned,  were  her  pupils  in  needle-work, 
but  not  one  of  them  could  read  !  We  dropped  a  few  words 
about  the  worth  of  the  soul,  as  compared  with  the  body, 
and  of  Christ,  as  the  "  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life,"  and 
passed  on,  with  a  silent  prayer  that  the  seed  scattered  by  the 
way-side  might  not  be  lost.  We  were  crossing  the  large 
central  hall  where  were  huge  bags  of  cocoons  for  the  silk 
factory,  when  the  master  of  the  house  came  up  the  stairway, 
and  swept  by  us  in  lordly  style.  His  portly  person  was 
enveloped  in  a  costly,  fur-lined  robe ;  a  rich  cashmere 
shawl  formed  his  girdle,  a  smaller  one  was  wound  around 
his  fez,  like  a  turban,  and  a  massive  ring  shone  conspicuously 
upon  the  little  finger  of  his  right  hand.  Altogether  he 
seemed  an  Oriental  of  the  old  school,  fast  disappearing  from 
the  great  commercial  centers  of  Turkey.  It  was  amusing  to 
see  the  servility  inspired  in  each  member  of  the  household 
by  the  presence  of  their  "  lord  and  master." 

Seating  himself,  with  an  air  of  fatigue,  upon  the  cushions 
of  a  corner  room,  he  called  his  servants,  in  loud,  imperious 
tones  :  "  Sarkis !  Apraham  !  "  Everybody  seemed  to  fly  at 
his  bidding.  One  "  girded  himself  with  a  towel,"  and  poured 
water  over  his  hands ;  another  brought  the  "  chibouk,"  or  long 
pipe,  with  amber  mouth-piece,  which  he  lighted,  and  obse 
quiously  handed  to  his  master,  placing  the  bowl  in  a  brazen 
receiver  upon  the  floor ;  and  still  another  hastened  to  bring  a 
tray  of  refreshments.  While  this  was  going  on,  the  mistress 
invited  us  to  seats  upon  the  divan  where  he  was  sitting ;  and 
I  was  willing  to  comply,  solely  that  I  might  see  more  of  one 
who  seemed  another  "  Nabal." 


86  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

THE  GIPSY  BRIDE. 

Presently,  the  "  bride  "  entered,  with  a  little  tray,  upon 
which  was  a  small  glass  of  "  rakee,"  or  brandy,  and  another 
of  water.  This  he  could  take  from  no  hand  but  hers; 
she  presented  it  with  a  profound  "salaam"  and  a  touch  of  her 
lips  to  his  hand,  and  then  gracefully  drew  back,  and  stood, 
with  crossed  hands,  while  he  held  the  liquor  to  the  light, 
glanced  at  us,  and  exclaimed  "  Geank!" — life — then  quaffed 
it  at  a  single  draught.  The  "  bride  "  stepped  forward,  took 
his  hand,  conveyed  it  to  her  lips,  then  to  her  forehead,  and 
thence  again  to  her  lips,  and  again  drew  back  as  before,  ob 
sequiously  waiting  his  commands  : — A  tall,  slender,  gipsy- 
like  girl  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  years,  with  clear,  dark  com 
plexion,  large  black  eyes,  and  raven  hair.  Her  head  was 
encircled  by  a  broad  gold  band,  composed  of  three  rows 
of  gold  coins;  a  similar  band,  with  pendants  encircled 
her  neck.  Poor  creature  !  she  looked  so  sad,  that  I  inquir 
ed  concerning  her  history,  and  Aroosiag  told  me  that  she 
had  but  recently  been  married  to  the  eldest  son  of  the  family, 
and  he  was  an  idiot !  Sold,  by  her  mother,  for  gold  J  When 
the  master  of  the  house  had  been  somewhat  mollified  by  his 
rakee,  and  while  he  was  partaking  of  the  bread  and  fruits 
placed  before  him,  he  seemed  in  a  more  genial  mood,  and 
vouchsafed  a  few  words  to  us.  He  spoke  of  the  war  in 
America,  and  said  that  wars  would  be  waged  between  the 
nations  while  the  world  lasted  :  "  If  universal  peace  should 
prevail,  the  Bible  was  a  lie  !  " 

There  was  a  bitterness  in  his  tone  which  plainly  showed 
what  manner  of  spirit  he  was  of,  reminding  one  of  the  de 
scription  given  of  his  prototype,  the  surly,  churlish  Nabal : 


ADABAZAR.  S/ 


"  He  is  such  a  son  of  Belial,  that  a  man  cannot  speak  to 
him  !  "  It  cost  no  effort  of  the  imagination  to  fancy  him 
roused,  and  venting  his  wrath  upon  every  object  within  his 
reach. 

When  his  repast  was  finished,  a  second  glass  of  spirits  was 
brought,  by  a  servant  girl,  and  a  salaam  accompanied  every 
act  of  service. 

We  made  our  formal  obeisance,  and  were  about  to  leave, 
when  a  servant  stopped  us  in  the  hall,  and  insisted  that  we 
were  to  go  into  another  room,  where  refreshment  was  served 
to  us — honey,  cheese,  bread,  apples,  melons,  and  sausages. 

The  mistress  seemed  softened,  and  made  some  apology  for 
not  having  called,  or  invited  me  to  her  house,  but  she  scarce 
ly  lifted  her  eyes  while  speaking.  Perhaps  the  plainness  of 
my  dress  had  something  to  do  with  my  cool  reception,  in 
addition  to  a  general  hostility  to  Protestants ;  for  Orientals, 
particularly  the  unchristianized,  are  strongly  affected  by  ex 
ternals,  and,  like  all  uncultured  people,  are  apt  to  judge  per 
sons  solely  by  their  attire.  Prappion  had  manifested  some  sur 
prise  and  a  little  disappointment,  that  I  had  not  brought  a  silk, 
or  at  least  something  brighter  than  my  gray  traveling  dress  ; 
saying,  partly  to  herself,  "  When  she  has  so  many  dresses, 
why  not  bring  one  ?  "  This  was  in  reference  to  my  visit  at 
the  "  great  house,"  where  she  wished  me  to  make  a  favorable 
impression.  And  I  said  to  myself,  "  Truly,  it  is  difficult  to 
steer  between  *  Scylla  and  Charybdis  ! ' ' 

We  tendered  our  parting  salaams,  and  left  the  dwelling  of 
that  Eastern  nabob — over  which  the  angel  of  Peace  could 
never  fold  her  wings — for  the  more  humble,  yet  happy  abode 
of  Christ's  disciples  ;  and  the  sharp  contrast  filled  our  hearts 
with  the  melody  of  thanksgiving  for  the  blessings  which  the 


THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


Gospel  brings  in  its  train.  "  Give  me  neither  poverty  nor 
riches  ;"  for,  "  Godlin  3ss  with  contentment  is  great  gain  ;  and 
they  that  will  be  rich,  fall  into  temptation,  and  a  snare,  and 
many  hurtful  lusts  which  drown  men  in  destruction  and 
perdition." 

We  called,  on  our  way  home,  to  see  Aroosiag's  sister,  and 
found  the  widow  clothed  in  black,  and  sitting  upon  the  floor, 
surrounded  by  her  fatherless  children.  The  house  was  poor, 
and  small,  but  neatly  kept,  and  the  loss  was  a  heavy  one  for 
such  a  family ;  but  the  mother  "  sorrowed  not  as  those  who 
have  no  hope."  She,  like  the  departed  husband,  was  a 
Christian,  and  stayed  her  soul  on  the  widow's  God.  After 
a  pleasant  conversation,  in  which  she  manifested  cheerful 
submission  to  the  will  of  her  Heavenly  Father,  she  anxiously 
put  the  question,  "  Shall  I  know  my  husband  in  heaven  ?  " 
I  gave  her  all  the  Bible  evidence  on  that  point,  and  my  own 
conviction  that  we  should  certainly  know  no  less  in  heaven 
than  on  earth  ;  and  while  we  spoke  of  the  enjoyments  and 
employments  of  the  redeemed  in  the  heavenly  world,  her 
eyes  kindled,  and  her  face  glowed  with  delight.  We  sang 
together,  "  How  firm  a  foundation ;  "  and  commended  the 
household  to  a  covenant-keeping  God,  before  we  left ;  and 
then  went  home  with  hearts  singing  for  joy. 

FIRE-SIDE    CHAT. 

When  we  had  taken  off  our  street-wraps,  the  grandmother 
called  me  to  her  side  to  inquire  how  I  liked  her  relatives. 
"  Your  relatives,"  she  said,  for  she  had  adopted  me  as  a 
daughter  ;  sometimes  lovingly  calling  me  her  child,  and  some 
times  Maritsa — Maria.  A  fire  had  been  kindled  on  the  hearth 
in  the  winter-kitchen,  up  stairs,  and  I  shared  the  cushions 


ADABAZAR.  89 


which  she  had  spread  before  it.  I  was  very  weary,  but 
thought,  as  she  was  not  spiritually  minded,  I  might  benefit 
her  by  rehearsing  part  of  the  conversation  at  her  nephew's 
house — the  comparisons  illustrating  Christ's  words  about  the 
"  many  mansions,"  etc.  She  listened  with  earnest  attention, 
and  repeatedly  thanked  me  for  going.  By  and  by  it  grew 
dark,  the  master  of  the  house  came  home,  and  grandmother 
said  to  me,  "  He  is  looking  for  you."  In  a  moment  or  two 
he  came  in,  pleased  to  find  me  there,  and  anxious  to  know 
about  our  visit.  His  wife  left  her  work  to  tell  him,  with 
a  full  heart,  and  they  rejoiced  together.  The  trays  were 
spread,  as  in  winter,  near  the  fire,  and  mutton  was  broiled, 
especially  to  suit  my  taste,  as  they  insisted  upon  knowing  my 
favorite  mode  of  cooking  meat.  My  good  host  said  again, 
as  often  before,  "Ask  for  anything  in  my  power,  and  you 
shall  have  it !  Say,  '  We, — what  have  we  in  the  house  ? '  not, 
'you,  what  have  you  ?  ' '  Adding  that  he  would  be  glad  to 
have  me  stay  a  month.  The  children's  beds  were  piled  up 
in  one  corner,  and  a  rude  lamp  was  hung  near  the  fire-place. 
"  Don't  tell  them  that,  when  you  write,"  said  the  father  ;  "not 
all  the  little  things."  The  good  man  had  frequently  found 
me  busy  with  pencil  and  paper,  and  his  quick  perception 
divined  that  I  was  sharing  my  impressions  with  friends  at 
home.  His  remark  naturally  introduced  a  little  chat  about 
those  friends,  and  I  took  the  opportunity  to  give  them  the 
history  of  a  Christian  merchant  in  one  of  the  great  cities  of 
my  native  land  :  how  he  began  his  apprenticeship  for  a 
business-life,  when  but  a  lad,  just  entering  his  teens,  but  with 
firm  purpose  of  heart  to  serve  his  Divine  Master  first  and 
best  of  all !  that  he  not  only  laid  aside  a  tenth  of  his  earn 
ings,  but  "traded  with  the  same"  to  gain  "other  talents;" 


90  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

for  he,  with  another  lad,  who  was  like  minded,  bought  candy 
with  this  money,  and,  by  permission  of  their  employer,  placed 
it  in  a  corner  of  a  show-case,  to  sell  for  the  Lord,  and  suc 
ceeded  beyond  their  expectations.  How  God  blessed  him  in 
all  he  had,  and  increased  his  store,  year  by  year,  and  he  rose 
in  honor  and  wealth,  till  he  gave  every  year,  for  missions 
throughout  the  world,  the  sum  of  $10,000.  But  that  was  not 
all ;  he  looked  over  our  great  country  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  and  saw  the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  emigrants 
pouring  in  year  after  year,  and  settling  over  the  western  prairies, 
and  he  said,  "  Now  we  must  have  young  men — those  who  un 
derstand  human  nature  better  than  books — trained  to  go  and 
live  among  them,  and  preach  the  gospel,  establish  schools  and 
churches  !  "  So  he  put  a  notice  in  the  newspaper  (without 
giving  his  name),  saying  that  he  wanted  fifty  young  men  of 
undoubted  piety,  love  for  Christ's  work,  and  ability  to  teach 
others,  but  who  could  not  afford  an  education ;  and  he  would 
pay  for  a  few  years  of  training  to  fit  them  for  that  labor. 

When  the  great  financial  panic  came,  in  18 — ,  and  so  many 
rich  men  lost  everything,  he  also  lost  much  money.  At  that 
time  I  was  a  guest  in  his  house  "  Beautiful,"  which  was 
indeed  a  home  to  me,  and  I  heard  him  say  to  his  wife, 
"  Whatever  comes,  we  must  not  dismiss  the  young  men 
(there  were  thirty  then)  ;  we  will  not  buy  a  thing  this  year, 
not  even  a  pair  of  shoes ;  but  we  will  keep  those  young  men  !" 
And  God  kept  him,  and  he  went  on  prospering,  and  mak 
ing  money  to  use  in  serving  the  Master  he  so  loved. 
That  I  knew  the  secret  of  it  all  :  No  matter  how  much  busi 
ness  pressed,  he  always  began  the  day  with  a  quiet  hour 
alone  with  God!  The  family  listened  with  great  interest, 
and  one  of  the  boys,  who  had  been  drinking  it  all  in  with 


ADABAZAR.  9! 


eagerness,  whispered  to  me,  "  That  is  just  what  Deros  and  I 
are  going  to  do  ! — make  money  to  support  preachers  and 
schools  for  our  nation !  " 

A    SOCIAL  EVENING    VISIT. 

A  message  was  brought  from  the  pastor,  with  an  invitation 
for  the  family  to  spend  the  evening  with  other  friends  at  his 
house,  and  word  was  returned  that  we  were  coming.  After 
an  exercise  in  singing  with  the  boys,  nearly  all  the  house 
hold  went  to  B.  Alexan's,  and  we  met  there  a  room  full  of 
Protestant  friends.  The  evening  passed  delightfully  in 
genial  conversation,  singing,  relating  anecdotes,  etc.  There 
was  no  lack  of  pleasantry  and  sallies  of  wit  that  frequently 
called  forth  a  merry  laugh.  One  topic  of  conversation  was 
smoking — the  universal  use  of  the  "  American  weed  ;  "  and 
it  was  generally  conceded  that  if  the  Protestants  would  deny 
themselves. the  useless  luxury,  they  might  spend  their  money 
to  far  better  purpose ;  in  schools  and  other  institutions,  for 
elevating  their  people.  But  the  self-denial  was  too  great ! 

While  we  were  talking,  one  of  the  older  brethren  went  out 
to  "  drink  "  his  tobacco,  and  his  wife  smiled  when  she  saw 
the  gleam  of  the  cigarette,  as  he  paced  back  and  forth 
before  the  window,  saying  that  the  little  one  had  called  out, 
"  See  !  fire  comes  out  of  his  mouth  !  " 

The  accent  of  the  Armenian  language — first  and  second 
ary — a  disputed  point  among  some  of  the  missionaries,  was 
another  theme  of  discussion.  And  between  the  singing  of 
various  pieces,  some  amusing  stories  were  told  of  the  old 
Armenians.  The  brethren  laughed  heartily  over  the  fact 
that  instead  of  the  old  chants  of  the  church,  the  Armenians 
at  the  river-quarter  had  lately  adopted  for  wedding  pro- 


92  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


cessions,  a  Protestant  hymn  which  was  utterly  incongruous 
for  such  occasions.  The  tune  was  well  enough — "  Far,  far 
at  sea  " — out  the  words  were  expressive  of  sorrow  and  tribu 
lation  in  this  dark,  sinful  earth,  and  a  longing  to  flee  away 
and  be  at  rest !  About  as  appropriate  for  a  wedding  as 
"  Hark  from  the  tombs  a  dismal  sound  !  "  By  and  by  the 
conversation,  which  was  general  and  unrestrained,  took  a 
more  serious  turn  concerning  our  individual  responsibility 
as  Christians  :  that  every  one  has  a  work  to  do  for  the  souls 
around  him. 

Every  heart  seemed  in  tune,  and  I  was  particularly  grati 
fied  with  the  pleasant  relations  existing  between  the  "  brethren 
and  sisters ;  "  there  was  freedom  without  familiarity,  instead 
of  the  great  distance  and  almost  unbroken  silence  which 
usually  characterizes  the  social  relations  of  the  sexes  among 
Eastern  races.  Reference  wras  made  to  our  prayer-meet 
ing  at  the  fiver-side;  and  one  of  the  sisters  told  "how  the 
Varzhoohi  wore  a  veil  just  like  the  rest!"  "Good!"  said 
the  preacher,  "  now  we  must  call  you  sister  Maritsa  !  "  And 
all  found  frequent  occasion  to  give  me  the  new  title,  which 
seemed  so  much  to  please  them.  It  was  remarked  that  the 
Protestants  in  Constantinople  wrould  wish  me  to  wear  the 
ferijee,  or  street  mantle  ;  but  I  said,  "  No,  the  sisters  there 
had  gone  far  beyond  us  in  dress,"  and  they  confessed  that  it 
was  true. 

Tea  was  served  around,  followed  by  sweetmeats  and  fruit, 
and  before  we  separated,  a  chapter  was  read  in  the  Bible, 
with  a  few  words  about  the  "  bow  drawn  at  a  venture,"  and  our 
being  "  immortal  till  our  work  is  done  ;  "  and  the  thought  was 
repeated  in  the  prayer  which  followed.  The  evening  closed 
with  singing,  "  Sweet  the  hours  rich  in  blessing."  The  pas- 


ADABAZAR.  93 


tor's  mother  and  sister  loaded  me  with  presents  of  fruit  at 
leaving,  and  thanked  me  again  and  again  for  coming  to  Ada- 
bazar.  Altogether,  it  was  one  of  those  rare,  never-to-be-for 
gotten  reunions  which  serve  as  a  sort  of  social  cement, 
drawing  hearts  nearer,  and  knitting  them  together  in  Chris 
tian  love  and  unity.  The  Old  Church  Armenians  have  so 
many  festival  occasions,  that  Protestants  are  really  in  danger 
from  the  fact  that  they  have  almost  none.  It  is  contrary  to 
human  nature,  and  God  provided  them  for  His  ancient  people. 

A    HAPPY   CHRISTIAN,  "SINGING  ALL    THE    WAY    TO 
HE  A  VENr 

One  day  Aroosiag  said  that  she  wished  to  talk  with  me  pri 
vately.  I  supposed  it  might  be  tibout  some  family  affair,  but 
was  pleasantly  surprised  when  she  began  to  speak  of  her  religi 
ous  experience  ;  the  possibility  of  her  being  deceived.  She 
said,  "  I  often  hear  that  we  must  mourn  over  our  sins — be  in 
sorrow  on  account  of  them.  When  we  sisters  come  together, 
we  often  speak  of  these  things,  talk  over  our  state,  and  ask 
each  other  questions.  They  frequently  say  that  they  are 
sorrowful  and  unhappy  because  of  their  imperfections. 
But  I  cannot  speak  of  any  such  thing ;  I  am  always  happy. 
I  don't  mean  that  I  am  better  than  others ;  and  when  I  hear 
them  talk  so,  I  feel  afraid  that  I  am  wrong.  But  then  I  say, 
*  I  love  my  Savior,  I  believe  His  word ;  and  when  I  go  to 
Him  and  confess  my  sins,  He  pardons  me,  and  I  go  away 
singing.  Why  should  I  mourn  ?  Is  He  not  a  perfect 
Savior?  Did  He  not  come  to  save  just  such  sinners  as 
I  ? '  Still,  at  night,  when  I  think  that  others  seem  to 
feel  so  differently,  I  fear  I  may  be  mistaken.  What  do 
you  say,  Varzhoohi ;  am  I  right,  or  am  I  wrong  ?  "  And 


94  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


she  turned  her  soft,  dark  eyes  upon  me  with  unaffected 
earnestness  and  child-like  simplicity.  Her  simple  story  and 
uncjoubting  confidence  that  I  could  settle  the  question  which 
troubled  her  tender  conscience  quite  touched  my  heart ;  but 
I  asked,  "  Have  you  spoken  to  your  husband  and  your  pas 
tor  on  this  subject?"  "Yes;  but  once  only;  husband 
said,  l  Go  on  rejoicing;  you  are  in  a  good  way!  '  and  the 
pastor  said  he  had  known  of  few  such  cases.  It  has  troubled 
me  for  years,  and  it  was  principally  for  this  thing  that  I  visited 
Stamboul,  that  I  might  converse  with  you  on  the  subject.  I 
thought  you  could  set  my  heart  at  rest ;  but  it  was  the  busy 
examination  time  and  there  was  no  opportunity ;  so  I  came 
home  without  being  satisfied.  But  I  then  made  a  vow  that 
if  you  ever  came  near  enough,  I  would  send  for  you  to  come 
to  our  house.  So  that  when  we  heard  you  were  in  Nicomedia, 
I  asked  my  companion  to  send  Ezekial  with  a  horse  to  fetch 
you;  and  for  that  reason  he  traveled  all  night."  "  But  sup 
pose  you  have  fallen  into  temptation  and  committed  sin 
against  God,  can  you  then  be  happy  ?  "  "  O,  no  !  "  she 
replied,  "  but  I  run  at  once  to  my  heavenly  Father,  and  He 
forgives  me  and  I  go  away  rejoicing."  "Aroosiag,  what  is 
sin  in  your  eyes  ? "  I  inquired.  "  Whatever  grieves  my 
heavenly  Father;  whatever  is  forbidden  in  His  Word,"  she 
answered.  "  But  tell  me,  what  do  you  do  which  you  con 
sider  to  be  sinful  and  needing  pardon  ?  "  "  I  sometimes  get 
angry,  and  speak  unkindly,  and  punish  the  children  because 
I  am  cross,  and  am  selfish,  and  proud.  At  night,  when  I 
look  back  on  the  day  and  see  where  I  have  failed  in  duty, 
have  spoken  improperly,  have  gone  to  an  Armenian  house 
without  speaking  a  word  for  Christ,  I  feel  sorry  and  cannot 
rest  until  I  go  to  my  Savior,  and  ask  Him  to  pardon  me  and 


ADABAZAR.  95 


help  me  in  future ;  then  I  am  happy  again.  But  I  think  that 
is  wrong,  and  try  to  make  myself  mourn  over  it  still ;  but  I 
cannot !  He  has  forgiven  me,  and  why  should  I  not  be  happy  ? 
Does  not  the  Bible  tell  us  to  rejoice  always,  and  in  everything 
give  thanks  ?  "  As  I  looked  at  the  beaming,  intelligent  face  of 
the  dear  disciple,  I  gave  thanks  to  God  for  such  an  evidence 
of  the  teaching  of  the  Spirit.  But  I  wished  to  test  her  a 
little  more,  and  said,  "  Well,  if  you  are  so  sure  that  He  for 
gives  you  every  time  you  ask,  perhaps  you  don't  mind  it  so 
much  when  you  do  wrong  ?  "  She  looked  up  almost  reproach 
fully.  "  Why,  Varzhoohi !  It  makes  me  more  watchful, 
more  careful,  because  of  His  love !  How  can  I  grieve  His 
heart?" 

"Why  should  the  children  of  a  King 
Go  mourning  all  their  days?" 

I  said  to  myself.  Was  not  this  the  "rest  of  faith,"  the 
true  "  higher  life  "  of  the  Christian  ?  "  I  thank  Thee,  Father, 
that  Thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent, 
and  hast  revealed  them  unto  babes !  " 

I  told  Aroosiag  that  natural  temperament  had  something 
to  do  with  the  type  of  a  Christian's  character,  in  this  respect : 
Some  had  naturally  more  to  contend  with  than  others ;  but 
that  God,  who  looks  at  the  heart,  and  knows  all  that  is  hid 
den  from  the  eye  of  man,  will  judge  every  one  accordingly. 
That  she  should  not  feel  herself  better  than  others,  nor  judge 
them  uncharitably ;  but  be  thankful  for  the  sunshine  around 
her  pathway,  and  be  watchful  over  her  heart  That  if  she 
had  a  tender  conscience,  alive  to  the  least  approaches  of  sin, 
she  need  not  fear,  while  journeying  onward  and  upward,  if 
her  mouth  was  filled  with  songs  of  rejoicing  and  praise  all 
the  day  long  I 


96  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


I  inquired  concerning  her  conversion,  and  she  told  me 
more  of  her  early  married  life ;  how  tenderly  her  husband 
cared  for  and  trained  her  when  she  was  but  a  child  ;  adding, 
"  Truly,  I  knew  nothing  of  girlhood,  for  I  was  not  quite 
eleven  years  of  age  when  I  was  married.  I  looked  up  to  my 
husband  as  a  father,  and  when  he  had  taught  me  to  read  the 
Testament,  my  prejudices  against  the  truth  gave  way.  I 
united  with  the  church  after  the  birth  of  my  third  child, 
when  I  was  sixteen  or  seventeen  years  of  age.  But  though 
enlightened,  I  was  not  spiritually  minded  till  two  years  after. 
I  attended  all  the  meetings,  and  went  on  in  a  cold  way ;  I 
had  not  tasted  the  preciousness  of  Christ.  But  after  that,  I 
began  to  wake  up  ;  I  saw  that  I  was  a  sinner,  and  was  much 
distressed  for  a  long  time.  But  one  day,  while  reading  the 
hymn,  '  I  saw  One  hanging  on  a  tree,'  Christ  was  revealed 
to  me  asjiiy  Savior  ! 

"  O,  Varzhoohi !  I  can  never  forget  that  verse, — 

"  'A  second  look  He  gave,  that  said, 

I  freely  all  forgive  ; 
This  blood  is  for  thy  ransom  paid, 
I  die  that  thou  may'st  live.' 

u  What  joy  filled  my  heart !  New  life  sprang  up  in  my  soul ; 
and  since  then,  I  AM  His,  AND  HE  is  MINE;  and  I  have  gone 
on  my  way  rejoicing!  "  I  inquired  into  her  daily  life,  and 
she  said,  "  When  I  awake  in  the  morning,  my  thoughts  go 
up  to  God  in  gratitude  ;  the  rays  of  the  sun  cause  me  to 
pray  for  the  warming  Sun  of  righteousness;  when  I  wash  and 
dress,  that  I  may  be  cleansed  and  clothed  by  His  blood  and 
Spirit;  when  I  sweep  and  clean  the  house,  that  my  heart 
may  be  purified.  When  I  am  at  my  work,  I  am  almost 
always  in  communion  with  Him  " — (ejaculatory  prayer). 


ADABAZAR.  97 


She  spoke  of  her  greatest  trial  being  the  training  of  her 
children.  But  I  had  noticed  her  sweet  and  tender  ways  with 
them,  and  toward  her  aged  mother,  and  saw  how  she  obeyed 
the  Scripture  injunction,  "And  the  wife  see  that  she  rever 
ence  her  husband."  + 

It  was  a  happy,  affectionate,  Christian  family  ;  the  four 
older  children  had  given  their  hearts  to  Jesus,  and  were  very 
gentle  and  loving  in  their  ways  with  the  younger  ones.  For 
the  first  time  I  had  heard  the  endearing  diminutives,  "  mai- 
ereg  koiereg  " — little  mother,  little  sister,  etc.  And  at  an 
early  hour  every  morning,  I  heard  her  voice  singing  the  songs 
of  Zion  over  her  household  work,  "  making  melody  in  (her) 
heart  to  the  Lord."  "  Happy,  happy  woman !"  I  said  to  myself. 
"  In  her  tongue  is  the  law  of  kindness  ;  her  children  rise  up 
and  call  her  blessed  ;  her  husband  also,  and  he  praiseth  her." 
Aroosiag's  neighbors  bore  abundant  testimony  to  her  consis 
tent  Christian  walk,  and  I  was  satisfied  that  she  was  truly 
honest  and  sincere  in  thus  opening  her  inner  life  for  my 
scrutiny.  Would  to  God  that  so  rare  an  experience  might 
be  multiplied  in  this  and  every  land !  Turning  to  the 
Word  of  grace,  I  read  a  few  passages  in  confirmation  of  the 
full  assurance  of  faith :  "  If  we  confess  our  sins,  He  is 
faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from 
all  unrighteousness :  And  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleans- 
eth  us  from  all  sin  :  If  ye  keep  my  commandments,  ye 
shall  abide  in  my  love :  These  things  have  I  spoken  unto 
you  that  my  joy  might  remain  in  you,  and  that  your  joy 
might  be  full :  Ask  and  receive  that  your  joy  may  be 
full.  If  a  man  love  me,  he  will  keep  my  words,  and  my 
Father  will  love  him,  and  we  will  come  unto  him,  and  make 
our  abode  with  him."  We  were  so  absorbed  in  the  delightful 
5 


98  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


employment,  as  not  to  be  aware  of  the  lapse  of  time,  till  B. 
Kavork  tapped  at  the  door,  and  told  us  it  was  time  for  the 
meeting.  He  had  closed  his  shop  an  hour  before  sundown, 
and  the  two  sons  had  come  home  with  him,  in  order  to 
attend  the  preparatory  lecture. 

Aroosiag  said  a  few  words  about  her  daughter's  prospects, 
and  then  we  joined  the  little  company  of  believers  in  the 
chapel.  It  was  an  interesting  service.  The  subject,  Half- 
awakened  sinners,  and  sleepy  saints ;  from  the  words,  "  To 
will  is  present  with  me,  but  how  to  perform  that  which  is 
good  I  find  not."  Afterwards  we  went  to  see  the  silk  fac 
tory.  There  were  fifty  girls  of  various  ages  winding  silk 
from  cocoons;  lamps  of  olive  oil  were  lighted,  and  the 
scene  was  a  lively  one.  The  factory  was  established  by 
Prussians,  but  had  passed  into  the  hands  of  Catholic  Arme 
nians.  Each  girl  received  twenty  piastres — about  eighty  cents 
— weekly.  I  told  the  bright  girl  who  was  overseer,  how  happy 
I  should  be  to  see  them  all  learning  to  read,  but  she  made 
no  response.  When  we  came  home,  I  went  to  my  room  to 
rest  a  little  before  dinner;  but  the  grandmother  stole  softly 
in  and  said,  "  Now  talk  to  me ;  you  have  not  said  much  to 
me !  "  So  I  roused  myself,  and  at  her  request,  told  her 
more  about  my  mother ;  translated  a  portion  of  her  last  let 
ter,  and  explained  the  sacrifice  she  had  made  in  giving  me 
up ;  that  nothing  but  the  "  love  of  Christ  constraining  " 
could  have  enabled  her  to  do  it. 

COMMUNION. 

On  the  afternoon  of  Gerage — the  Lord's  day — we  assem 
bled  to  celebrate  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  I  never  enjoyed 
the  solemn  ordinance  more  than  on  that  occasion.  I  was  in 


ADABAZAR.  99 


a  strange  land,  surrounded  by  people  of  another  race,  speak 
ing  another  tongue,  and  yet  I  felt  at  home  with  them  ;  for, 
"  we  who  sometime  were  afar  off,"  had  been  "  made  nigh  by 
the  blood  of  Christ ;  "  and  were  "  no  more  strangers,  and  for 
eigners,  but  fellow-citizens  with  the  saints,  and  of  the  house 
hold  of  God."  Blessed  union  and  communion,  in  which 
"  there  is  neither  Greek  nor  Jew,  circumcision  or  uncircum- 
cision,  Barbarian,  Scythian,  bond  nor  free,  but  Christ  is  all 
and  in  all  I  " 

"  One  family  we  dwell  in  Him, 
One  church  above,  beneath." 

It  was  a  sweet  foretaste  of  the  feast  which  the  family  of  the 
redeemed  will  enjoy,  when  gathered  "  out  of  every  kindred, 
and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation,"  at  the  "  Marriage-Sup 
per  of  the  Lamb." 

That  evening,  B.  Kavork  read  the  34th  Psalm  at  prayers, 
and  commented  on  the  words,  "  O  taste  and  see  that  the 
Lord  is  good."  He  alluded  to  the  fact  that  many  of  their 
neighbors  did  not  appreciate  the  things  so  dear  to  them,  and 
said,  "  You  may  tell  a  man  that  a  certain  fruit  is  delicious, 
and  praise  it  as  much  as  you  like,  but  he  will  conceive  no 
idea  of  its  peculiar  flavor  until  he  has  tasted  it  for  himself. 
So  the  world  knows  not  what  we  mean  when  we  speak  of 
God's  peculiar  love  as  manifested  to  us  individually,  or  of 
the  richness  of  His  promises.  They  have  not  tasted  for 
themselves."  I  quoted, — 

"The  love  of  Jesus,  what  it  is, 
None  but  His  loved  ones  know." 

And  "  Unto  you  which  believe,  Christ  is  precious."  That  led 
to  a  few  words  about  faith  ;  we  turned  to  the  5th  chapter  of 


100  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

Romans,  and  it  was  very  pleasant  to  hear  the  husband  say, 
"Wife,  what  is  faith?  "  "  Faith  is  the  substance  of  things 
hoped  for,  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen,"  answered 
Aroosiag,  without  hesitation.  "  Avedis,"  said  the  father, 
turning  to  his  eldest  son,  "  can  you  give  another  defini 
tion?  "  "  Faith  is  trust,  confidence  in  what  we  cannot  see," 
said  the  lad.  "  But  what  is  justifying  faith  ?  "  continued  the 
father ;  and  after  a  little,  he  explained  it  himself,  and  finished 
by  reading  the  blessed  8th  chapter  of  Romans  ;  and  we  closed 
the  day  with  a  family  prayer-meeting. 

THE  LAST  EVENING. 

My  good  host  and  his  wife  had  planned  to  take  me  for  a 
visit  of  two  or  three  days  to  a  mountain  village,  a  few  hours' 
distant,  where  there  was  a  little  band  of  disciples.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Parsons  went  from  Nicomedia,  and  spent  most  of  the 
summer  there,  and  a  humble  chapel  was  built  during  their 
stay. 

Our  arrangements  were  all  made,  and  I  anticipated  much 
pleasure  and  profit  from  the  novel  trip,  when  lo !  the  project 
was  upset  by  storms  of  wind  and  pouring  rain. 

The  children  of  the  family,  however,  rejoiced  at  the  provi 
dential  detention,  and  hoped  the  rain  would  not  soon  cease, 
that  my  stay  might  be  prolonged!  They  were  never  weary 
of  hearing  about  America,  asking  me  questions  whenever  the 
opportunity  offered — though  not  in  an  intrusive  or  disagree 
able  way — and  seeking  additional  instruction  in  singing. 

After  the  evening  meal  of  roast  chicken,  fried  egg-plant, 
boiled  chestnuts,  and  the  usual  accompaniment  of  bread  and 
honey,  I  gave  the  boys  another  lesson  in  the  cultivation  of 
the  voice,  taught  them  one  or  two  exercises  in  vocalizing, 


ADABAZAR.  IOI 


and,  at  their  request,  sang  some  English  songs  as  specimens, 
which  greatly  pleased  them.  The  father  listened  attentively ; 
said  he  had  no  idea  that  the  human  voice  was  capable  of 
such  culture,  and  asked  if  he  could  learn.  So  I  set  him  to 
singing  a  simple  exercise,  and  found  that  he  could  increase 
his  vocal  capacity.  He  then  referred  to  the  disadvantages 
of  his  early  life,  and  concluded  by  saying  that  "  the  Lord 
had  brought  him  thus  far  on  his  way." 

We  were  sitting  around  the  ojak,  or  fire-place,  in  the  winter- 
kitchen,  watching  the  cheerful  blaze  of  the  long,  crooked 
sticks  standing  upright  in  the  open-mouthed  chimney. 
There  was  no  "jug  of  cider,"  but  nuts  and  apples,  the  old- 
time  accompaniment  of  a  fireside  scene  in  the  country,  wrere 
not  wanting  in  the  picture ;  and  I  was  reminded  of  an  old- 
fashioned  farmhouse  where  I  delighted  to  visit  when  a  child, 
and  revelled  in  the  ruddy  glow  of  the  great  "  back-logs  " 
and  "  fore-sticks,"  so  skikully  laid  in  the  ample  fireplace : 
and  the  never  failing  fun  and  pleasantry  that  accompanied 
the  discussion  of  walnuts,  butternuts,  and  delicious,  rosy- 
cheeked  apples,  which  filled  the  well-stored  cellar  whence 
they  were  brought  with  a  fragrance  never  to  be  forgotten. 

"  O,  Varzhoohi !  tell  us  all  about  it !  "  said  the  boys,  when 
I  alluded  to  scenes  of  by-gone  days  in  my  native  land.  "  If 
you  please,"  said  the  mother,  smilingly,  as  she  glanced  at  the 
eager  group  which  surrounded  me.  "  If  you  please,"  they 
echoed.  And  they  listened  with  open  mouths  and  eyes 
while  I  described  the  farmhouse,  its  inmates,  and  their  daily 
life ;  the  great  barns,  and  granaries ;  the  cows,  sheep,  horses, 
and  oxen ;  fowls,  bees,  and  birds ;  the  gardens,  and  the  fruit- 
laden  orchards ;  the  waving  fields  of  wheat  and  corn  ;  the 
meadows,  fragrant  with  the  sweet  breath  of  clover ;  the  won- 


102  THE    ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 


derful  machines  for  sowing,  mowing,  and  reaping  ;  and  the 
ingatheiing  of  the  harvest,  followed  in  due  time  by  the 
Thanksgiving  season,  with  its  joyful  reunions,  ending  in  a 
sketch  of  our  great  Western  country,  with  its  wide-rolling 
prairies,  its  broad  rivers  and  lofty  mountains ;  and  of  steam 
ships,  and  railways,  with  their  rushing  trains  and  panting 
locomotives,  carrying  vast  multitudes  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land.  Then  they  asked  me  for  a  descrip 
tion  of  my  native  town ;  and  I  told  them  of  a  time  when  the 
wild  Indian  roved  over  the  hills  and  valleys,  and  hunted 
game  through  the  forests  and  by  the  streams  of  that  goodly 
western  portion  of  the  State  of  New  York;  and  .how  the 
"  white  man  "  came  from  old  Connecticut,  and  Massachu- 
sets,  and  Long  Island,  with  wives  and  children  stowed  away 
in  great  covered  wagons,  well-stored  with  needful  provisions 
and  cooking  utensils  ;  how  they  formed  a  settlement  on  the 
banks  of  the  "  Ganargua,"  laid  out  a  town  wi"h  broad 
streets,  cutting  each  other  at  right  angles,  and  planted  forest- 
trees  on  either  side  ;  built  a  school-house  tor  their  children, 
and  a  church,  which  crowned  the  summit  of  a  hill,  that  they 
might  "go  up"  to  the  house  of  the  Lord,  to  worship  the 
God  of  their  fathers;  and  how  the  Lord  prospered  the 
enterprise,  and  how  it  grew  and  their  numbers  increased  and 
wealth  poured  in  ;  of  the  pleasant  homes,  surrounded  by 
shaded  gardens,  where  the  birds  sang,  and  flowers  bloomed, 
and  little  children  played  unmolested ;  of  the  shops,  orifices, 
hotels,  mills,  and  factories;  the  schools  and  churches,  that 
multiplied  with  the  years;  and  the  lovely  cemetery  where 
those  who  fell  "asleep  "  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  shadow  of 
the  hill-side,  beneath  the  sighing  pines  and  the  weeping- 
willows,  with  the  waving  branches  of  a  young  forest  inter- 


ADABAZAR.  103 


spcrsed,  flinging  out  their  autumnal  banners  of  crimson, 
gold,  and  purple  to  crown  the  glory  of  each  dying  year. 
Tender  memories  were  stirred  as  I  spoke  of  the  graves  of 
my  kindred — the  tomb  of  the  kingly  Christian  father,  by 
which  I  made  the  final  consecration  to  missionary  service  in 
a  foreign  land ;  although  a  decade  of  years  had  not  passed 
over  my  head  when  he  was  called  up  higher,  yet  the  holy 
life  and  the  well-remembered  prayers  of  that  father  bore 
blessed  fruit  in  after  years. 

Our  conversation  ended  with  a  talk  about  Heaven.  The 
children  had  gone  to  bed  and  were  fast  asleep;  we  older 
ones  were  still  sitting  on  the  cushions  around  the  fire,  con 
tinuing  the  conversation  about  the  future  life  in  the  Better 
Land.  "When  we  get  to  heaven,"  said  the  "  little  mother," 
"  I  shall  sit  by  you,  just  so  !  "  drawing  nearer  to  my  feet,  and 
taking  my  hand.  "  Yes,  and  leave  me  off  here !  "  cried 
Prappion;  adding,  "And  where  will  grandmother  be?" 
"  O,  mother  will  sit  in  the  corner!"  Aroosiag  answered, 
glancing  at  the  chimney-corner  where  the  dear  old  grand 
mother  had  fallen  asleep — her  head  bobbing  up  and  down  : 
"  Baron  will  sit  in  the  middle,  Prappion  by  his  side,  and  " — 
"And  we  will  lie  here !  "  piped  out  one  of  the  younger  boys, 
lifting  his  head  from  the  pillow  at  the  back  of  the  room,  his 
eyes  twinkling  with  fun.  We  were  much  amused,  and  the 
good  "Baron,"  looking  over  to  his  wife,  half  fondly,  half- 
deprecatingly  exclaimed,  "  Surprising  woman ! "  I  had 
made  several  attempts  to  retire,  but  it  was  our  last  evening 
together,  and  all  seemed  unwilling  to  separate.  At  last,  see 
ing  that  the  hour  was  late,  I  made  another  move,  saying,  "  I 
will  arise,"  — "  and  go  to  my  Father's  house !  "  said  Aroosiag, 
quickly  supplying  the  rest  of  the  sentence; — "And  to-mor- 


104  TI1E   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

row  morning  you  will  be  gone,  and  we  shall  be  alone !  " 
I  sang  in  reply,  "My  days  are  gliding  swiftly  by;"  and 
Prappion  took  up  the  strain,  causing  her  parents  to  laugh  at 
her  doleful  rendering  of  the  next  line  or  two;  but  I  responded 
with  another,  "  I  'm  a  pilgrim,  I  can  tarry  but  a  night !  " 

The  dear  girl,  whose  filial  piety  and  modest  Christian 
deportment  had  been  to  me  most  satisfactory,  accompanied 
me  to  my  room,  which,  by  the  way,  was  her  own  special 
apartment ;  she  having  slept  in  a  corner  of  the  "  great 
room  "  during  my  visit ;  the  father  and  mother  also  having  a 
separate  room  by  themselves  with  the  youngest  child,  which 
arrangement  was  probably  a  fruit  of  her  school-life  at  Con 
stantinople.  She  spread  my  couch  on  the  floor,  saying  with 
a  sigh,  "  It  is  the  last  time  !  "  A  few  moments  later,  the 
mother  came  to  speak  once  more  of  a  matter  which  weighed 
on  her  heart  respecting  her  daughter,  whom  she  earnestly 
desired  to  see  united  to  a  certain  young  preacher,  and  spend 
ing  her  life  for  the  Master. 

I  told  her  our  views  of  marriage,  saying,  "  This  is  a  very 
delicate  matter.  Trust  God,  and  don't  take  it  into  your 
own  hands."  And  she  answered,  "Truly,  you  think  finely, 
make  fine  and  nice  distinctions." 

THE  DEPARTURE. 

I  was  awakened  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning  by  the 
children  singing,  "A,  B,  C,"  and  other  exercises  which  I 
had  taught  them.  Before  it  was  light,  some  of  the  sisters 
came  to  bid  me  "  yertak  parov  " — go  with  good.  And  one 
of  them  brought  me  a  pomegranate  from  her  garden. 

At  family  worship,  the  father  read  the  i33d  Psalm, 
"  Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to 


ADAEAZAR. 


dwell  together  in  unity ;  "  and  we  sang,  "  When  shall  we 
meet  again  ?  "  He  prayed  most  fervently  for  heaven's  bless 
ing  to  rest  upon  me,  "  their  child,"  as  I  went  forth  from 
them,  thanked  God  for  our  delightful  season  of  Christian 
intercourse,  and  asked  that  we  might  all  meet  in  heaven. 
While  I  was  eating  my  breakfast  of  chicken-broth  from  a  small 
bowl,  a  Christian  brother  came  in,  and  Aroosiag  invited  him 
to  partake  with  me,  which  he  did.  The  proximity  was  closer 
and  more  trying  to  my  fastidiousness  than  any  previous 
experience  in  that  line ;  but  we  dipped  our  spoons,  one  after 
the  other,  as  if  accustomed  to  such  fellowship  all  our  lives  ! 

Preacher  Alexan  came  to  see  me  off,  bringing  a  present  of 
fruit,  etc.,  for  some  of  the  missionary  children  at  Constanti 
nople,  saying  that  he  awoke  in  the  night  and  thought  "  she 
must  not  go  empty-handed." 

The  farewell  with  the  family  was  really  affecting,  for  I  had 
become  much  attached  to  them  all,  and  they,  apparently,  to  me, 
during  the  ten  days  of  my  visit.  But  finally  the  last  embrace 
was  given,  the  last  word  said,  and  with  their  warmest  blessing, 
I  mounted  my  horse,  and  set  forth  on  my  return  to  Nicomedia. 
It  was  a  pleasant  morning,  bright,  but  cold,  and  a  hoar-frost 
lay  thickly  on  the  ground.  B.  Kavork  accompanied  me  on 
horseback  for  an  hour  or  two,  and  beguiled  the  way  by  con 
versation.  He  pointed  out,  not  far  from  the  town,  an  old 
Roman  bridge  with  ten  arches,  as  perfect  as  it  was  1800 
years  ago !  But  the  ancient  Sangarius  had  entirely  changed 
its  course,  leaving  but  a  dry  bed  where  it  once  spanned  the 
rushing  river  on  its  way  to  the  Black  Sea.  "  In  the  spring 
time,  the  river  Sakaria  often  overflows  its  low  banks,"  said 
B.  Kavork ;  "  the  streets  of  the  town  are  sometimes  flooded, 
the  lower  part  of  our  dwellings  become  wet  and  damp,  and 
5* 


106  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


in  consequence,  there  is  much  malaria,  producing  chills  and 
fever." 

After  many  thanks  expressed  on  both  sides,  for  good 
received  and  pleasure  enjoyed,  I  parted  with  my  kind,  hos 
pitable  host,  who  bade  me  "  Godspeed"  on  my  way,  and 
with  a  faithful  Armenian  escort,  turned  my  face  westward, 
retracing  the  journey  of  thirty  miles  to  Nicomedia. 

The  long,  weary  day  was  drawing  to  its  close,  when  to  my 
delight  I  saw  my  good  missionary  brother,  Mr.  Parsons, 
coming  to  meet  me,  holding  Iris  sleeping  baby-boy  before 
him  on  the  horse.  The  fair  lace,  flushed  with  exercise,  the 
closed  eyelids,  and  drooping  eyel:shes  resting  upon  the  soft, 
velvet  cheeks,  and  the  half-parted  cherry  lips,  made  a  beauti 
ful  picture.  A  half-hour  i,f  climbing  up  the  hillside,  and  I 
was  once  more  welcomed  and  at  rest  in  the  missionary  home 
of  the  old  capital  of  Bithynia. 


CHAPTER    1 1  A  . 


NICOMEDIA. 

|N  the  days  of  its  glory,  as  the  seat  of  empire,  Nico- 
media  is  said  to  have  spread  over  more  hills  than 
Rome  itself.  Though  Paul  and  Silas  were  not  suf 
fered  by  the  Spirit  to  testify  in  Bithynia,  the  seeds  of  truth 
were  there  sown  in  after  years,  and  many  of  the  people 
became  followers  of  the  despised  Nazarene,  sealing  their 
testimony  with  their  blood,  under  the  reign  of  the  infamous 
Diocletian.  But  the  glory  departed  from  that  second  Rome; 
and  the  Lord's  tabernacle  was  removed,  leaving  but  the 
empty  shell  to  testify  that  it  once  had  a  dwelling-place  within 
its  walls.  Centuries  passed  away  before  the  "  Day-spring 
from  on  high  (again)  visited  the  people — to  give  light  to 
them  that  sat  in  darkness,  and  in  the  shadow  of  death." 

Two  missionaries  from  Constantinople  had  been  silently 
witnessing  the  senseless  round  of  ceremonies,  and  vain 
mummery  enacted  within  the  walls  of  one  of  its  Armenian 
churches ;  and  as  they  turned  away  with  saddened  hearts, 
one  of  them  dropped  a  little  tract  in  the  outer  court,  with  r, 
silent  prayer  for  the  Divine  blessing.  The  tiny  seedlet  was 
picked  up  by  a  priest.  It  took  deep  root  in  his  heart,  and 
was  also  used  for  the  conversion  of  a  brother-priest.  Little 
did  Leigh  Richmond  dream  when  penning  the  simple  story 

(107) 


IOS  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

of  the  "DAIRYMAN'S  DAUGHTER,"  that  he  was  setting  in 
motion  a  mighty  wave  of  influence  which  should  reach  to 
the  uttermost  bounds  of  the  earth  !  And  it  is  doubtful  if  the 
faith  of  him  who  scattered  the  seed  by  the  way-side,  was 
strong  enough  to  grasp  such  a  grand  possibility  as  lay  hidden 
within  the  germ  of  life !  That  little  tract  was  the  means 
used  by  God  for  the  establishment  of  the  first  Evangelical 
church  among  the  Armenians  of  Turkey,  and  ultimately  of 
two  others.  Eternity  alone  will  reveal  its  wide  circling 
sweep,  with  the  heavenly  harvest  borne  upon  its  bosom  ! 

A   ROYAL   HUNT. 

When  the  morning  sun  streamed  over  the  sea  of  Marmora, 
the  blood-red  banner  of  the  Turk,  with  its  national  historical 
emblem — the  ';  crescent  and  star  " — -was  seen  flying  from 
two  or  three  steamers  lying  in  the  harbor.  His  Imperial 
Highness,  Sultan  Abdul  Aziz,  had  arrived  from  Constanti 
nople  with  his  suite,  on  a  great  hunting  expedition  among 
the  Bithynian  mountains.  People  were  collecting  from  every 
quarter  to  see  their  sovereign  enter  the  city,  and  we  decided 
to  "  go  with  the  multitude." 

We  found  an  open  hillside  at  the  outskirts  of  the  town, 
covered  with  crowds  of  all  ages  and  conditions.  The  women 
were  mostly  enveloped  in  their  white- sheet  veils,  looking  like 
so  many  ghosts  sprinkled  thickly  through  the  gay  groups  to 
be  seen  in  every  direction.  After  waiting  for  an  hour,  the 
booming  of  cannon  announced  the  debarkation. 

A  company  of  porters  passed  by,  laden  with  tent-poles, 
and  cloths — of  the  sacred  green,  used  only  by  the  lineal 
descendants  of  Mahomet — stuffed  arm-chairs,  a  sofa,  etc., 
etc.,  which  they  conveyed  to  a  new  palace  near  the  shore,  in 


NICOMEDIA.  109 


process  of  completion.  The  old  Serai  had  been  newly 
repaired  and  fitted  up,  but  the  odor  of  paint  so  disgusted 
his  Majesty  on  a  previous  visit,  that  he  ordered  it  pulled 
down,  and  another  one,  of  stone,  erected  in  its  place.  A 
specimen  of  Turkish  economy  with  borrowed — English — 
funds ;  showing  that  it  is  vastly  easier  to  spend  other  peo 
ple's  money  than  one's  own  ! 

THE   GRAND   SEIGNIOR. 

A  mounted  officer,  followed  by  others  on  foot,  dashed  up 
the  hillside,  brandished  his  glittering  sword,  and  loudly  ordered 
the  way  prepared  for  the  coming  of  the  king! — reminding 
us  of  the  words  of  the  prophet  Isaiah,  and  of  John  the  Bap 
tist  :  "  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make  straight  in 
the  desert,  a  highway  for  our  God." 

The  crowd  fell  back,  and  soldiers  were  stationed  on  either 
side  of  the  road. 

At  last  shouts  greeted  our  ears,  and  the  Sultan  made  his 
appearance,  mounted  on  a  coal-black  steed,  followed  by  his 
scarlet-clad,  sable  attendant,  with  a  train  of  gaily  mounted 
pashas  and  officers.  The  tall,  dignified,  portly  person  of 
the  Grand  Seignior  was  simply  attired;  but  his  physique 
indicated  less  intellectuality  than  fondness  for  sensuous 
pleasures ;  in  striking  contrast  to  Ali  Pasha,  and  Fuad  Pasha 
— the  thinkers  of  the  Ottoman  Cabinet. 

The  children  of  the  Protestant  day-school  were  stationed 
at  the  summit  of  the  hill,  and  sang,  at  the  top  of  their  voices, 
an  original  hymn  prepared  by  their  teacher,  in  honor  of  his 
Majesty.  He  merely  deigned  a  glance  at  them;  and  as  the 
gay  cavalcade  rode  into  the  grounds  of  the  new  palace,  a 
procession  of  priests  and  children  from  the  Old  Church 


I  10  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

Armenians  passed  by.  Each  boy  carried  a  wax  taper  in  his 
right  hand,  and  a  wreath  of  laurel  in  his  left.  Their  heads 
were  closely  shaven,  and  bound  with  rose-colored  ribbon, 
tied  in  a  bow  at  one  side ;  and  the  two  last  next  the  priests 
were  crowned  with  wreaths  of  artificial  flowers.  They  were 
all  clad  in  full  white  robes,  with  a  broad  green  collar 
upon  the  neck,  edged  with  gold,  and  with  the  cross  conspicu 
ously  embroidered  upon  it.  Their  monotonous  chanting 
was  quite  a  contrast  to  the  spirited  singing  of  the  Protestant 
children. 

The  Greek  school  wras  also  out  in  full  force  and  festive 
array.  But  all  were  alike  disappointed ;  for  there  was  no 
royal  bounty,  no  scattering  of  coins  to  be  eagerly  caught  by 
the  throngs  on  the  highway ;  and  no  presents  made  to  the 
various  communities,  or  schools,  as  in  former  times. 

In  two  or  three  days  the  Sultan  departed,  and  from  the 
current  reports,  we  inferred  that  he  did  not  win  much  favor 
among  the  people  by  his  visit.  Royalty  had  cost  them  dear  ! 
It  was  costly  sport,  of  which  they  might  well  have  said,  "  It 
may  be  fun  for  -you,  but  it  is  death  to  us !  "  The  country 
had  been  scoured  for  horses  for  the  great  hunt ;  and  wher 
ever  found,  were  taken,  without  any  compensation,  or  so 
much  as,  "  By  your  leave."  T  o  hundred  houses  were  thus 
secured,  though  a  number  were  Brought  from  Constantinople, 
in  a  steamer  which  was  sent  down,  on  Sunday,  laden  with 
provisions,  arms,  etc.  A  large  tract  of  land  was  surrounded, 
into  which  the  game,  such  as  wild  boar,  deer,  antelopes, 
wolves,  foxes,  jackals,  and,  possibly  bears,  were  driven  for 
the  Sultan  to  shoot !  He  wa .,  said  to  be  \eryfondofathletic 
sports,  and  anxious  to  revive  th<  ancien,  games. 


NICOMEDIA.  Ill 


FRUIT  OF    THE   CONSTANTINOPLE   SCHOOL. 

In  the  afternoon  I  met,  by  appointment,  at  the  house  of 
one  of  their  number,  the  former  graduates  of  the  Constanti 
nople  school,  living  in  Nicomedia.  We  had  a  pleasant,  and 
apparently,  a  profitable  interview,  conversing  with  each 
respecting  her  stay  in  the  school,  and  her  subsequent 
course. 

All  were  married,  and  four  of  the  five  were  mothers,  with 
several  children.  Two  of  them  had  each  a  small  school  in 
her  own  house  ;  and  one  who  had  no  children,  had  for  years 
taught  a  home-school  of  from  twenty  to  thirty  girls,  receiving 
half-pay  from  the  Mission.  One  of  the  other  schools — of 
twelve  pupils — was  entirely  self-supporting.  After  the 
review  of  past  years,  I  read  the  twenty-fifth  chapter  of  Mat 
thew,  and  dwelt  upon  the  parable  of  the  ten  talents,  trying 
to  bring  home  to  their  hearts  its  solemn  truths.  Then  we 
knelt  in  prayer,  and  Elbice  offered  a  fervent  petition  for 
Divine  assistance;  after  which,  we  conversed  concerning  the 
best  way  in  which  they  could  exert  an  influence  among  their 
people,  and  I  tried  to  interest  them  in  gathering  children  for 
Sunday-schools,  establishing  infant  Sunday-school  classes, 
and  prayer-meetings  for  the  women,  in  various  quarters ; 
and  then  we  spoke  of  their  duties  as  mothers,  and  of  the 
light  of  example,  which  cannot  be  hid.  While  we  were  talk 
ing,  the  wife  of  the  pastor,  an  early  graduate,  came  in, 
evidently  out  of  sorts.  Poor  Juhar!  She  had  just  enough 
religion  to  make  her  unhappy  ;  trying  to  hold  on  to  earth 
with  one  hand,  and  heaven  with  the  other ! 

A  word  in  season  to  her,  about  her  duty  as  a  mother,  dur 
ing  the  first  years  of  her  children's  lives  ;  the  importance  of 


112  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


laying  foundations,  etc.,  and  it  was  nearly  dark ;  but  all  pro 
tested  against  breaking  up  any  earlier,  "  because,"  they  said, 
"  we  do  not  often  enjoy  such  an  opportunity."  Several  of 
them  seemed  impressed  by  what  had  been  said  of  their 
increased  responsibility  as  Christian  mothers,  and  one  of  the 
youngest,  and  most  interesting,  said,  with  emotion,  "  I 
acknowledge  that  I  have  not  been  as  faithful  a  mother  to  my 
children  as  I  should  have  been  ;  but  I  will  try  to  do  better 
hereafter." 

The  next  day  I  called  to  see  an  Armenian  girl,  who,  after 
a  few  terms,  had  been  dismissed  from  our  Mission-school  at 
Constantinople,  and  had  opened  a  school  for  her  own  sup 
port.  Twenty  little  children  were  seated  upon  the  floor 
in  a  miserable  room  of  her  grandmother's  house.  They 
seemed  very  quiet  and  orderly.  Their  teacher  had  seen  me 
coming,  and  left  the  room,  but  the  poor  girl  burst  into  tears 
when  we  met  in  the  passage-way. 

She  was  weak-minded,  with  a  heart  corrupted  by  evil  asso 
ciations  in  early  life  ;  yet  not  wholly  hardened,  or  closed 
against  good  influences.  Her  pupils  were  thirty-one  in 
number,  all  from  the  Old  Church  Armenians,  and  what  was 
more  remarkable,  all  pay-scholars,  each  one  paying  about  five 
cents  per  week  for  tuition.  A  half-hour  was  spent  in  talking 
to  the  children  of  God,  and  their  relations  to  Him. 

They  seemed  very  ignorant  and  stupid,  but  after  illustrat 
ing  and  simplifying  the  truth,  their  minds  seemed  to  wake 
up  a  little,  and  they  began  to  answer  my  questions  in  a 
more  lively  manner.  Before  I  left,  they  sang  a  Sunday- 
school  hymn  very  nicely,  and  I  encouraged  their  teacher  to 
go  on  and  retrieve  her  character. 

The  Protestant  pastor  conducted   the   usual  meeting  for 


NICOMEDIA.  113 


women  in  the  chapel  that  day,  and  preached  a  rather  stilted 
discourse,  from  the  pulpit,  instead  of  sitting  down  among 
them  for  a  good,  plain,  practical  talk — a  setting  forth  of 
their  duties,  and  the  helps  to  perform  them.  After  the 
meeting,  I  spent  a  little  time  in  the  day-school,  on  a  lower 
floor,  where  fifty  children,  mostly  Protestant  boys,  were 
assembled. 

The  teacher  had  long  and  successfully  taught  in  Adaba- 
zar;  and  after  many  vain  efforts,  was  finally  secured  for 
Nicomedia  ;  and  much  was  expected  from  the  school  under 
his  faithful  instruction  and  excellent  influence.  With  his 
permission,  I  occupied  a  half-hour  in  addressing  the  school, 
and  asking  questions.  They  sang  two  .or  three  of  the  new 
Sunday-school  songs  with  much  enthusiasm ;  and  then, 
Marta,  one  of  my  pupils,  who  had  come  over  from  Bardezag, 
called  with  me  at  the  house  of  the  pastor,  particularly  to  see 
his  daughter  (who  was  one  of  the  number  that  we  could  not 
retain  in  our  school  when  the  Mission  funds  were  reduced), 
and,  if  possible,  induce  her  to  teach  a  little  class  in  the 
Sunday-school.  Mania  seemed  willing  to  undertake  it,  but 
her  mother  thought  she  needed  more  instruction  herself,  and 
gave  her  no  encouragement.  It  was  evident,  that  unless  she 
had  a  helping  hand,  and  the  aid  of  example,  very  little  use 
fulness  could  be  expected  from  her. 

Marta  accompanied  me  to  the  school  for  girls,  long 
established  in  Nicomedia  by  one  of  the  first  pupils  of  the 
Mission-school,  who  had  married  and  settled  in  her  native 
city.  This  also  was  a  home  pay-school ;  and  the  instruction 
given  by  Armevine  in  ornamental  needlework,  attracted 
many  girls  from  Armenian  families.  Courtesying,  and  shak 
ing  hands,  seemed  to  be  one  of  their  modern  accomplish- 


I!4  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


ments;    and  each  one   came  forward  to  show  a  proficiency, 
with  which  I  could  well  have  dispensed. 

Toward  evening,  we  went  out  for  a  quiet  walk.  Marta 
chose  a  retired  path  among  the  hills,  and  we  talked  over 
plans  for  her  future  course.  She  seemed  earnestly  desirous 
of  more  active  usefulness  among  her  people  ;  and  feeling 
the  need  of  guidance,  came  over  for  counsel,  on  hearing 
of  my  arrival  in  the  city.  Her  humble,  earnest  desire  to 
know  and  do  the  will  of  her  Heavenly  Father  was  very 
pleasant  and  encouraging  to  witness,  and  compensated  for 
years  of  toil  in  learning  and  using  a  strange  language  in  a 
foreign  land. 

A    SOCIAL    VISIT,  AND   AFTER-CO.\rCLUSTONS. 

On  our  return  from  the  pleasant  ramble,  teacher  Arakeal, 
with  a  number  of  lads,  and  a  few  Protestant  friends,  came,  by 
invitation  of  the  missionary  and  his  wife,  to  spend  the 
evening. 

Pleasant  conversation  and  singing,  of  which  the  people 
never  weary,  accompanied  by  the  melodeon,  caused  the 
time  to  pass  very  swiftly,  and  brought  us  nearer  to  each 
other  in  the  bonds  of  Christian  love  and  sympathy.  We  had  a 
long  talk  about  the  "  smoking  mania  ;"  and  Mr.  Parsons  main 
tained  that  if  the  Protestant  brethren  would  deny  themselves 
the  use  of  tobacco,  they  could  easily  sustain  their  pastor  and 
the  school:  "Impossible  to  do  without  it!"  exclaimed 
one.  "  We  eat  less  food  in  consequence,"  said  another. 

Brother  Apostle  had  pledged  himself  to  abstain,  but  after 
a  trial  of  two  months  gave  up  the  attempt.  His  experience 
was  very  different  from  that  of  brother  Resurrection,  who 
could  not  endure  the  atmosphere  of  the  "  vile  weed,"  and 


NICOMEDIA.  115 


did  not  drink  either  tea  or  coffee.  But  the  controversy  was 
carried  on  in  an  excellent  spirit,  and  we  had  some  bits  of  fun 
over  the  discussion  of  nuts  and  apples,  which  followed  the 
dish  of  graver  talk. 

When  the  little  company  separated,  my  mind  was  more 
deeply  impressed  than  ever  with  the  necessity  of  such 
friendly,  familiar,  and  frequent  social  intercourse  to  success 
fully  establish  the  somewhat  abnormal  relation  of  the  foreign 
missionary  to  the  people  among  whom  he  dwells. 

My  good  missionary  brother  and  sister  canvassed  the  oft- 
discussed  and  perplexing  subject  of  "  missionary  policy  " 
with  renewed  interest,  after  hearing  somewhat  of  my  expe 
rience  at  Adabazar.  Mr.  Parsons  set  forth  the  extent  and 
the  needs  of  his  great  diocese,  comprising  a  wider  territory 
and  a  greater  population  than  the  entire  Mission  to  the  Nes- 
torians  of  Persia, — the  Nestorians  numbering  but  60,000  souls, 
with  a  full  staff  of  missionaries,  and  he  was  but  one  man 
for  more  than  100,000  Armenians,  besides  Turks,  Greeks, 
and  Jews!  He  brought  out  a  map  which  he  had  prepared, 
of  the  plain  of  Nice,  with  its  teeming  towns  and  villages — 
where  sat  the  famous  Ecclesiastical  Council  of  old ; — a  field 
ripe  for  the  harvest,  but  with  no  laborers  for  the  ingather 
ing; — and  invited  me  to  accompany  him,  at  some  future 
time,  on  a  tour  through  that  portion  of  his  field,  where  hun 
dreds  of  Armenian  women  would  gather  to  hear  my  words. 

Some  years  before,  the  village  of  Bardezag  had  been  com 
mitted  to  the  care  of  faithful  preacher  Hohannes,  and  his  good 
wife,  and  Nicomedia  became  the  missionary  residence,  and 
centre  of  evangelistic  work  in  that  region.  But  with  such  a 
vast  field  to  oversee,  Mr.  Parsons  felt  it  impossible  to  expend 
upon  the  central  point  the  time  and  strength  which  he 


l6  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


deemed  really  essential  to  the  best  interests  and  truest  devel 
opment  of  the  outlying  districts.  There  we  sisters  differ 
ed  from  him  in  opinion  ;  and  though  missionary  wives  are 
styled  "  assistant  missionaries  "  at  headquarters,  and  never 
expected  to  have  any  voice  in  the  disposal  of  vexed  ques 
tions,  or  the  business  of  the  Stations, — and  the  single  sisters 
seem  to  be  an  unknown  qucuitity,  for  whom  even  Paul 
made  no  provision ! — we  did  not  hesitate  to  assert  our  con 
viction  that  the  centre  of  missionary  operations  should 
receive  the  most  careful  culture,  from  the  fact  that  the  sur 
rounding  towns  and  villages  naturally  looked  to  it  as  their 
model.  We  believed  that,  in  the  end,  it  would  prove  infi 
nitely  better  to  cultivate  thoroughly  one  portion,  which 
should  be  fruit-bearinp;  and  self-propagating,  than  to  merely 
scratch  the  surface  of  half-a-dozen  !  But  the  missionary  was 
strongly  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  freedom  and  self- 
control  for  the  infant  evangelical  churches,  and  said  that  he 
had  left  the  city  church,  with  their  pastor,  to  manage  their 
own  affairs.  He  did  not  even  attend  their  business  meetings, 
and  had  no  voice  in  the  settlement  of  questions  that  might 
arise,  except  in  so  far  as  they  sought  his  counsel.  He  had 
conscientiously  carried  out  his  theory  of  non-interference, 
believing  that  they  would  grow  in  self-government,  and  learn 
by  their  own  mistakes.  We,  on  the  contrary,  felt  that  so 
long  as  the  church  was  supported  by  the  Board,  the  mission 
ary  should  have  a  share  in  the  management  of  its  internal 
economy;  and  that  while  "infants,"  they  needed  fatherly 
guidance,  if  not  control. 

Mr.  Parsons  had,  from  the  first,  been  an  earnest  advocate 
of  self-support;  his  theory  was  practically  this,  that  the 
stipend  of  every  preacher  should  be  graded  by  the  cost  of 


NICOMEDIA.  II/ 


living  in  the  place  where  he  labored ;  giving  him  one-third 
more  than  the  wages  of  a  resident  first-class  mechanic ; 
which  would  not  be  too  much  for  the  people  to  assume,  in 
due  time,  and  no  more  than  they  would  be  willing  to  allow 
their  pastor,  for  their  own  self-respect.  But  the  old  system, 
still  retained  in  that  city, — which  was  more  or  less  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  Constantinople, — allowed  the  people  to  make 
the  yearly  estimate  for  their  pastor's  salary,  with  a  promise 
to  pay  a  certain  proportion.  And  hitherto  they  had  virtu 
ally  rated  it  so  high,  that  they  paid  nothing,  year  after  year ! 
A  very  unfortunate  education  for  them — those  paper  prom 
ises, — and  crippling  to  their  real  growth ;  for,  true  independ 
ence  is  the  result  of  manly  self-support ;  and  as  a  rule,  that 
is  most  prized  which  costs  most.  We  concluded  that  very 
much  depended  upon  the  animus  and  energy  of  the  pastor 
who  should  lead  the  flock ;  and  certainly  the  church  under 
consideration  did  not  present  much  life  or  activity.  Before 
we  dismissed  the  subject,  the  gentle,  yet  efficient  and  far-seeing 
brother,  who  had  long  contended  for  the  "  apostolic  method  " 
of  planting  the  Gospel  amid  many  difficulties  and  perplex 
ing  antecedents,  read  to  me  his  late  letters  to  the  Missionary 
House  at  Boston.  The  little  courtesies,  and  the  delicate  at 
tention  which  he  never  failed  to  bestow,  showed  a  respect 
and  esteem  which  was  very  gratefully  appreciated ;  and  his 
excellent  wife,  with  her  clear  perceptions,  sound  judgment, 
and  faithful  co-labor,  did  not  fail  to  receive  the  honor  which 
was  her  due  as  a  "  full  missionary." 

INTERIOR   OF  MOUNTAIN    VILLAGES. 
One  morning,  after  breakfast,  we  started  to  visit  some  of 
the  villages  within  two  or  three  hours'  ride  of  Nicomedia,  and 


IlS  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

Mr.  Parsons  took  his  little  daughter  before  him  on  his 
horse.  Our  narrow  path  lay  up  the  mountain-side,  a  part  of 
the  way,  through  a  forest  of  young  trees,  and  a  heavy  under 
growth  of  shrub  oak.  Wildbriar  roses  bloomed  in  profu 
sion,  pinks,  "sweet  williams,"  and  the  blue-eyed  orchis, 
with  other  familiar  home  flowers,  looked  up  at  us  from  the 
way-side,  and  the  hand  of  the  little  maiden  was  frequently 
outstretched  to  gather  the  wild  honeysuckle  or  clematis, 
whose  trailing  branches  hung  over  the  way.  The  soft  call 
of  the  cuckoo  sounded  sweetly  in  the  cool  recesses  of  those 
green  bowers,  and  we  greatly  enjoyed  our  ride. 

About  half-way  from  the  village  of  Ovajuk,  we  saw  eight 
women  at  work  in  a  field,  digging  the  ground,  pushing  the 
rude,  forked  pick,  or  spade,  into  the  hard  soil  with  their  bare 
feet,  while  two  stalwart  men  stood  by,  looking  on. 

We  passed  by  two  great,  lonely  farmhouses,  owned  by 
some  wealthy  pasha,  who  farmed  out  his  extensive  lands, 
receiving  in  return  a  certain  proportion  of  the  produce. 
The  country  was  too  unsafe  for  a  family  to  live  in  such  an 
isolated  situation,  and  the  great  buildings  were  only  occupied 
as  a  lodging-place  for  laborers. 

On  our  arrival,  we  rode  to  the  house  of  the  chief  Prot 
estant,  but  found  only  the  grandmother  and  a  grandson  at 
home,  who  was  for  a  time  a  pupil  in  the  Mission  Seminary 
at  Constantinople.  He  was  quite  young,  but  bright,  and  had 
"  walked  straight  through  geometry  "  the  last  year ;  but  was 
cut  short  in  his  studies,  owing  to  a  suspension  of  the  "  Secu 
lar  department  "  of  the  school.  His  subsequent  course  in 
business,  proved  that  cleverness  is  not  the  grand  requisite  for 
missionary  training.  One  room  of  the  house  was  used  for 
Sunday  services,  conducted  by  the  missionary,  or  the  preacher 


NICOMEDIA.  119 


from  Nicomedia,  and  about  forty  persons  usually  collected 
to  hear  the  truth.  The  people  were  enlightened,  but  not 
converted. 

We  visited  the  school  established  two  years  ago  by  the 
Old  Armenian  Church,  in  opposition  to  the  small  school 
opened  by  the  missionaries  in  that  village,  and  found  a 
good  substantial  building,  the  principal  room  well  lighted  by 
numerous  windows. 

The  teacher,  a  young  man  of  pleasing  appearance,  received 
us  kindly.  There  were  about  a  hundred  pupils  present, 
seated  closely  on  cushions  spread  upon  the  floor;  twenty 
girls  of  the  fifty  in  usual  attendance,  occupied  one  corner; 
and  a  few  advanced  pupils  were  in  another  room,  engaged 
in  "  higher  studies  "  with  their  teacher. 

Taking  up  a  good-sized  book,  I  was  surprised  to  see  that 
it  was  Scripture  history,  in  modern  Armenian.  I  hastily 
glanced  over  a  few  pages,  and  was  pleased  with  the  valuable 
compilation  of  facts,  dates,  etc.,  in  the  spoken  language  of 
the  people.  The  pupils  were  well  supplied  with  those 
expensive,  well-bound  volumes,  prepared  by  the  Catholic 
press  at  Venice ;  and  I  found,  upon  inquiry,  that  they  had 
purchased  them  for  themselves  ;  and  the  larger  girls  of 
eleven  and  twelve  years  of  age  were  studying  them.  A 
smaller  book  in  the  hands  of  the  younger  pupils  proved  to 
be  a  brief  catechism  in  modern  Armenian.  The  first  few 
pages  contained  nothing  to  which  I  could  not  assent;  and 
though  there  was  undoubtedly  much  error  mixed  up  with 
the  truth,  yet  the  introduction  of  such  books  into  an  Arme 
nian  school  was  a  great  advance  on  the  past,  and  could  not 
fail  to  pave  the  way  for  a  more  general  diffusion  of  knowl 
edge,  and  lead  to  the  study  of  the  pure  Word  of  God. 


120  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


An  unmistakable  sign  of  the  "  good  time  coming  "  was  the 
fact  that  not  a  few  schools  in  connection  with  the  Old  Arme 
nian  Church  had  previously  adopted  Protestant  text-books, 
which  contained  the  very  essence  of  Christianity  ! 

THE    VILLAGE    CHURCH. 

Leaving  the  school-house,  we  visited  the  church  near  by — 
a  large  stone  building,  capable  of  accommodating  all  the 
villagers. 

"What  a  nice  chapel  this  would  make  us!"  observed  Mr. 
Parsons,  as  we  glanced  at  the  solid  walls  and  vaulted  roof. 
Its  interior  was  much  like  that  of  all  the  Armenian  churches 
throughout  the  land.  The  marks  of  past  prosperity,  evident 
in  these  structures — for  which  the  wealthy  had  given  their 
money  and  jewels,  and  the  poor  their  time  and  labor — were 
found  in  the  poorest  villages.  Signs  of  a  deep-rooted  super 
stition  met  us  at  every  turn,  in  the  rude  pictures  of  Virgin 
and  Saints,  and  the  faint  flickering  of  a  few  lighted  tapers 
placed  before  them.  The  tomb-like  atmosphere,  never  pene 
trated  by  a  ray  of  the  glorious  sun-light,  the  odor  of  incense, 
and  the  "  dim,  religious  light  "  (so  largely  imitated  in  modern 
church-buildings  at  home),  carried  us  back  to  the  dark  ages ; 
for  it  lacked  the  breath  of  moral  healthiness  !  Cushions  and 
carpets  were  scattered  about  upon  the  matted  floor,  and  a 
little  latticed  gallery  for  women,  occupied  one  end  over  the 
porch. 

We  paused  to  examine  a  large,  rude  representation  of  the 
Judgment,  suspended  upon  the  wall  of  the  inner  court,  oppo 
site  the  main  entrance. 

The  three  persons  of  the  'Trinity  were  painted  con 
spicuously  in  the  centre.  God  the  Father,  represented  as 


NICOMEDIA.  121 


the  "  Ancient  of  days  " — a  venerable  old  man,  with  long, 
white  beard,  sitting  high  over  all ;  the  Spirit,  in  the  usual 
form  of  a  dove ;  and  the  Son,  as  a  young  man,  upon  the  judg 
ment-seat.  On  his  right  hand,  and  on  his  left,  were  throngs 
of  people ;  rows  of  saints  as  in  a  gallery  above,  and  those 
who  were  being  judged,  below. 

An  angel,  with  a  pair  of  scales,  stood  near  the  throne,  and 
a  priest  was  advancing  to  be  weighed.  Those  who  were 
found  wanting  in  the  balance,  were  thrust  down  by  an  angel 
on  the  left  hand,  into  a  lake  of  fire,  whose  forked  flames 
seemed  like  so  many  devouring  tongues,  writhing  to  seize 
their  victims ;  while  those  who  were  tested  and  approved, 
were  ushered  by  another  angel  at  the  right,  through  a  portal, 
to  the  seats  of  bliss  above,  to  join  the  crowded  ranks  of 
stiffly-seated  saints,  tier  on  tier,  where  angels  with  trumpets 
seemed  flying  about  in  every  direction  ! 

The  world  of  woe  was  crowded  by  miserable  beings, 
who  seemed  gnashing  their  teeth  in  despair.  Upon  the 
forehead  of  every  one  was  written  the  sin  for  which  he  was 
doomed  :  envy,  lust,  dishonesty,  etc.,  and  former  instruments 
of  wickedness  were  evidently  employed  as  means  of  torture. 
The  miller  had  his  mill-stone  hung  about  his  neck,  and 
others  were  similarly  punished,  "  according  to  the  deeds  done 
in  the  body !  "  Quite  a  number  of  priests  figured  prom 
inently  in  the  crowd, — known  by  the  long  beard  and  cowl, 
—  and  intermingled,  were  plenty  of  hideous  fiends,  who 
seemed  tormenting  the  lost.  Some  of  the  wicked  imps 
had  climbed  up  on  one  side,  and  fastened  chains  about 
the  necks  of  those  who  were  yet  out  of  the  fire,  and  were 
clinging  in  despair  to  their  vain  supports !  and  others, 
with  the  sharp  prongs  of  their  long  iron  forks,  thrust 
6 


122  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


back  the  wretched  creatures  who  were  trying  to  escape  from 
the  flames. 

It  was  a  coarse,  horrible  caricature,  reminding  one  of 
Dante's  Inferno  ;  but  the  pictured  lesson  was  plain  ;  educat 
ing  conscience,  and  keeping  alive  in  the  minds  of  the  people, 
a  belief  in  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  and  a  final  retribution  : 
"  For,  we  must  all  appear  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ ; 
that  every  one  may  receive  the  things  clone  in  his  body, 
according  to  that  he  hath  done,  whether  it  be  good  or  bad." 

THE  AMAZONS. 

The  theological  students  at  Bebek,  Constantinople,  were 
often  employed  during  their  summer  vacations,  as  colpor 
teurs  in  the  Nicomedia  field,  and  their  efforts  to  spread  the 
truth  sometimes  resulted  in  considerable  opposition  among 
the  people.  On  one  occasion,  a  violent  outbreak  had 
occurred  in  a  little  village  where  a  couple  of  students  were 
at  work ;  and  a  week  or  two  after,  I  accompanied  Mr.  Par 
sons  to  the  place. 

We  passed  through  the  streets  without  meeting  any  insult; 
but  found  the  roadside  leading  to  the  house  of  the  only 
Protestant — where  the  two  students  had  lodged — lined  with 
scraps  of  paper,  shreds  of  books,  and  tracts,  torn  to  pieces 
and  scattered  to  the  winds,  by  a  mob  of  two  hundred 
infuriated  women  !  They  had  chosen  their  time  on  a  mar 
ket-day,  when  the  men  of  the  place  were  all  absent  at  an 
adjoining  town  ;  and  came  upon  the  young  men  in  a  vine 
yard,  where  they  were  engaged  in  reading  the  Bible  to  some 
laborers.  They  were  hard-handed,  strong-armed  women, 
accustomed  to  field-labor,  and  they  went  at  their  work 
with  a  will ! — probably  instigated  by  their  Armenian  priests, 


NICOMEDIA.  123 


— for  Turkish  law  does  not  recognize  a  woman's  indi 
viduality,  and  hence'  she  is  irresponsible,  and  meets  no  pun 
ishment  at  its  hands.  Seizing  the  young  men  by  the  throat, 
they  nearly  choked  them  to  death ;  and  after  beating  them 
thoroughly,  and  almost  tearing  off  their  clothing,  they  left 
the  field  with  flying  banners  !  Going  next  to  the  Protestant 
house,  the  exultant  company  surrounded  it,  whi^e  a  "  special 
committee  "  tried  the  strength  of  their  arms  upon  the  poor, 
lone  woman  within,  giving  her  a  "  sound  beating  "  because 
she  harbored  the  "  Protes  !  "  Then,  finding  the  baskets  of 
books,  they  tossed  them  out  of  the  windows  to  the  surging 
crowd  below,  who  speedily  wreaked  their  vengeance  upon 
the  silent,  defenceless  witnesses  for  the  truth,  and  sent  them 
flying  in  tiny  fragments  through  the  air!  Just  as  the  work 
of  destruction  was  finished,  some  one  on  the  look-out  heard 
the  sharp  creaking  of  the  rude  wagons  returning  from  mar 
ket,  and  gave  the  alarm.  The  women  hastened  to  disperse 
before  the  men  should  arrive  and  find  them  at  their  lawless 
work.  "  To  me,  it  was  a  terrible  time !  "  said  the  wife  of 
the  Protestant,  as  she  told  of  the  raid  upon  the  house  in  her 
husband's  absence.  "  I  think  I  never  was  so  glad  to  see 
anybody  in  my  life,  as  I  was  my  companion  when  he  returned 
that  evening." 

One  of  the  students  was  so  intimidated  by  the  treatment 
he  had  received  at  the  hands  of  the  Amazons,  that  he  fled 
from  the  field !  The  other  was  made  of  sterner  stuff,  and 
manfully  stood  by  his  colors ;  but  he  had  something  besides 
"  pluck  "  to  sustain  him  in  his  lonely  position,  surrounded 
by  the  enemy,  and  fighting  the  battles  of  the  Lord  single- 
handed. 

The    faith    of    that    young    David   was    better    armor 


124  TIIE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

than  any  that    the  "  god  of   this  world "   provides  for   his 
Goliaths  ! 

"  I  used  to  think,"  said  Keropo,  "  that  I  could  never  have 
special  fellowship  with  the  martyrs,  when  admitted  to  the 
society  of  heaven,  because  I  had  never  suffered  persecution ; 
but  after  this  thing,  it  comes  to  me,  that  I  can  say  to  them, 
*  I  also  am  one  of  your  number;  for  I,  like  you,  have  suffer 
ed  for  the  cause  of  Christ.' "  And  the  ruddy  face  of  the 
youth  beamed  with  joy  as  he  spoke,  reminding  me  of  the 
words  of  the  apostle  to  the  Gentiles :  "  From  henceforth  let 
no  man  trouble  me  ;  for  I  bear  in  my  body  the  marks  of  the 
Lord  Jesus."  Preacher  Hohannes,  our  old  friend,  joined  us 
soon  after  our  arrival,  and  the  three  men  went  out  to  survey 
the  field  of  battle.  While  they  were  gone,  four  or  five  women 
came  to  see  me,  and  one  of  them  brought  a  bunch  of  roses  and 
white  lilies  as  a  sort  of  peace-offering.  They  were  evidently 
moved  by.  curiosity,  never  having  seen  a  foreign  mission 
ary  lady,  and  deprecated  any  allusion  to  the  outrage  of  the 
week  or  two  previous,  or  an  implication  that  they  had  a  share 
in  it.  After  quietly  listening  awhile  to  the  simple  exposition 
of  a  few  verses  of  Scripture,  one  of  their  number,  looking 
out  of  the  window,  gave  a  signal  to  the  others,  and  they 
withdrew.  She  had  seen  the  master  of  the  house  in  the 
street,  and  a  moment  after  he  came  in  and  greeted  me  cor 
dially.  His  wife  listened  to  our  conversation,  but  took  no 
part  till  I  mentioned  America,  when  she  said,  "  America^ 
what's  that  ?  "  Before  I  could  reply,  her  husband  showed 
his  superior  wisdom  by  answering,  "  America  is  a  city  as  big 
as  Stamboul !  "  It  was  quite  as  difficult  to  cause  him  to  under 
stand  the  extent  and  magnitude  of  our  continent,  as  in  the  case 
of  some  more  learned  ones  beyond  the  sea,  who  have  never 
seen  it  with  their  own  eyes ! 


NICOMEDIA.  125 


By-and-by  the  surveying  party  returned,  fully  satisfied 
that  retreat  was  out  of  the  question  ;  the  field  was  to  be  won 
for  Christ  at  all  hazards.  Satan  had  been  roused  because  he 
saw  his  kingdom  in  danger;  and  there  was  reason  for  en 
couragement  instead  of  despondency.  Such  zeal  and  energy 
in  behalf  of  their  old  superstitions  gave  promise  of  equal 
earnestness  as  working  Christians,  when  the  people  should 
accept  the  truth. 

It  was  long  after  midday,  and  the  good  wife  hastened  to 
place  before  us  a  tray  of  food.  Thin  cakes  of  dark,  unleav 
ened  bread  were  placed  around  the  edge,  and  a  dish  of 
poached  eggs  in  the  centre ;  but  there  were  neither  forks  or 
spoons  with  which  to  partake  of  it.  My  morning  ride  had 
given  me  an  appetite,  but  how  to  secure  my  portion  was  a 
puzzle.  In  this  dilemma,  I  watched  my  companions,  and 
saw  them  double  bits  of  bread  and  use  each  as  a  scoop  or 
ladle.  I  imitated  their  example,  but  the  eggs  were  only 
slightly  cooked,  and  each  dainty  morsel  that  I  sought  to 
secure,  "fell  out  by  the  way !  "  Meanwhile,  the  supply  was 
rapidly  diminishing,  for  four  hearty  men  were  dipping  into 
the  one  dish.  Despairing  of  my  futile  attempts,  I  observed 
the  preacher  more  narrowly,  and  noticed  that  he  so  inclined 
his  head,  that  the  transfer  of  food  to  the  mouth  was  a  very 
short  journey,  accomplished  by  a  quick,  skillful  movement, 
which  left  little  chance  for  escape.  I  followed  suit  success 
fully,  at  last,  just  as  the  dish  was  being  emptied  of  its  con 
tents  !  The  next  course  was  a  pan  of  soured,  curdled  milk,  for 
which  black  wooden  spoons  were  provided,  but  I  finished  my 
repast  with  the  black  bread  alone.  After  the  meal  was  con 
cluded,  the  Bible  was  brought,  and  we  had  prayers.  Preacher 
Hohannes  read  a  portion  of  I.  Peter,  third  and  fourth  chap 
ters,  and  wisely  commented  upon  the  words  :  "  If  ye  suffer 


126  THE   ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 


for  righteousness'  sake,  happy  are  ye :  be  not  afraid  of  their 
terror,  neither  be  troubled:  For  it  is  better,  if  the  will  of 
the  Lord  be  so,  that  ye  suffer  for  well-doing  than  for  evil- 
doing  :  But  let  none  of  you  suffer  as  a  murderer,  or  as  a 
thief,  or  an  evil-doer,  or  as  a  busy-body  in  other  men's 
matters  :  Yet  if  any  man  suffer  as  a  Christian,  let  him 
not  be  ashamed,  but  let  him  glorify  God  on  this  behalf." 

Passing  through  another  village,  on  our  return,  we  met  a 
number  of  women  engaged  in  spinning,  preparing  bulgoor, 
and  other  domestic  employments  in  the  streets.  They 
saluted  us,  and  inquired  why  we  did  not  stay  longer.  I 
commenced  speaking  to  some  of  them  about  spiritual  things, 
when  one  said,  "  Come  now,  sit  down  and  talk  to  us ;  what 
is  the  need  of  your  going  so  soon  ?  "  After  speaking  a  few 
moments  of  the  food  and  raiment  that  God  had  provided 
for  the  soul,  which  has  another  life  to  live,  I  promised 
to  come  again  and  stay  longer,  and  they  bade  me  "  go  with 
good." 

Not  far  from  Nicomedia,  wre  came  upon  a  cluster  of 
deserted  buildings,  falling  to  decay,  which  told  a  sad  story 
of  Turkish  stupidity,  and  envy  that  overreached  and  pun 
ished  itself. 

It  was  the  old  story  of  the  dog  in  the  manger.  Enterprising 
Englishmen  had,  about  ten  years  before,  successfully  estab 
lished  a  manufactory  for  superior  "  broadcloths  "  from  the 
fine  wool  of  that  region,  especially  that  of  Angora,  so  famous 
for  its  length  and  silky  texture.  They  had  brought  their 
families,  and  were  peaceful  citizens,  a  source  of  revenue  to 
the  Government,  and  of  employment  to  numbers  of  people, 
aiding  the  missionary  work  by  their  sympathy  and  influence. 
But  Turkish  officials  took  alarm  at  their  prosperity,  and  the 


NICOMEDIA.  127 


Government  compelled  them  to  abandon  the  work  at  a  great 
loss. 

ANOTHER    TRIP    TO  BARDEZAG. 

Six  or  seven  years  had  passed  since  my  first  visit  to  Bar- 
dezag,  and  I  was  reminded  of  Paul's  words  to  Barnabas  : 
"  Let  us  go  again  and  visit  our  brethren  in  every  city  where 
we  have  preached  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  see  how  they 
do." 

Saturday  afternoon,  at  three  o'clock,  I  started  in  company 
with  Hovsep,  and  while  waiting  at  a  shop,  B.  Kerope  came 
along  with  a  packet  of  letters  from  Constantinople.  I  opened 
it,  and  found  one  for  myself  from  the  home-land.  We  crossed 
the  Gulf  in  a  rude  sail-boat,  like  those  used  on  the  sea  of 
Galilee  in  the  time  of  our  Savior ;  and  I  looked  with  inter 
est  upon  the  "  hinder  part "  of  the  "  small  ship,"  where  one 
could  crawl  in  to  sleep  "upon  a  pillow." 

There  were  twelve  passengers  besides  the  three  men  who 
managed  the  boat;  and  while  the  sun  was  going  down,  I 
read  my  letter,  looking  up  now  and  then  to  enjoy  the  soft 
rippling  of  the  blue  waters,  and  the  lights  and  shadows  play 
ing  upon  the  "  everlasting  hills  "  which  lifted  their  heads 
around  the  horizon.  We  found  it  difficult  to  procure  a 
horse  on  the  other  side,  and  I  had  decided  to  walk  the  few 
miles,  and  started  off,  but  was  called  back  to  mount  a  pack- 
saddle,  fastened  upon  what  seemed  a  bundle  of  bones  !  The 
unnatural  position  was  very  uncomfortable,  and  I  did  not 
envy  my  Oriental  sisters  their  freedom  to  ride  "otherwise." 

The  summit  of  the  mountain  in  the  distance  before  us, 
was  lighted  up  by  wood-fires,  looking  like  a  volcano  with 
streams  of  red-hot  lava  pouring  down  its  sides. 

It  was  late  when  we  reached  the  village,  and  picked  our 


128  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


way  along  the  dark,  narrow  streets,  till  we  drew  up  before 
the  pastor's  house — the  -same  formerly  occupied  by  the  mis 
sionary  family ;  he  and  his  wife  and  children,  whom  I  had 
known  in  Constantinople,  came  out  to  welcome  me,  and 
when  I  was  refreshed  by  a  cup  of  tea,  some  of  the  brethren 
and  sisters  came  in  with  warm  greetings,  to  enjoy  a  good 
talk. 

After  family  worship,  a  bed  was  spread  for  me  upon  the 
floor  of  the  room  where  we  had  spent  the  evening,  and  I 
was  left  to  rest. 

Early  the  next  morning,  I  was  awakened  by  the  sweet 
sound  of  the  Sabbath-bell !  It  was  the  gift  of  some  church 
or  Sunday-school  at  home,  for  the  new  chapel ;  and  its 
echoes  among  those  mountains,  sent  a  gush  of  gratitude 
through  my  heart.  There  were  no  Turks  living  in  that  vil 
lage  to  forbid  the  innovation,  and  that  accounted  for  the 
novel  fact. 

Soon  after  sunrise,  the  people  answered  to  the  call,  and 
assembled  for  a  lesson  in  the  catechism  ;  breakfast  came  at 
Si  o'clock,  after  prayers — brown  bread,  cheese,  and  stewed 
quince — preaching  at  n  o'clock,  followed  by  a  church- 
meeting.  And  after  the  dinner — of  meat-stew,  with  bulgoor, 
or  cracked  wheat,  cheese,  and  bread, — seventy-seven  women 
came  to  our  meeting.  The  pastor's  wife  talked  and  prayed, 
and  afterward  took  subscriptions  for  their  "  Benevolent 
Society,"  while  I  looked  on  and  listened.  Another  preach 
ing  service  followed  at  3  o'clock,  which  seemed  dry  and 
prosy,  and  I  could  scarcely  keep  awake  ;  after  that  the 
Sunday-school,  which  was  very  interesting. 


NICOMEDIA.  129 


CHANGES. 

Many  changes  had  taken  place  since  I  last  gathered  with 
that  people.  Good  Amooja  was  not  there  to  welcome  my 
coming.  He  had  accomplished  his  earthly  work  and  -war 
fare — "faithful  unto  death" — but  his  memorial  "stones" 
were  firmly  embedded  in  the  foundation  of  the  new  and 
commodious  chapel.  The  people  were  perched  upon  high 
seats,  during  the  Sunday  services,  and  seemed  uncomforta 
ble  in  the  strange  position.  A  number  of  the  men,  and 
women  also,  drew  up  their  feet,  and  sat  upon  them,  accord 
ing  to  their  custom;  and  there  were  empty  seats  in  the 
large  audience-room,  and  an  occasional  bonnet  and  dress  in 
European  style — in  imitation  of  the  pastor's  wife  and  one  or 
two  others  from  Stamboul :  and  the  pastor's  discourse  lacked 
the  freshness  and  animation  of  the  former  preacher;  and 
there  was  not  the  same  earnest,  wide-awake  attention  on  the 
part  of  the  people ;  I  saw  several  persons  nodding,  and 
others  looking  around  during  the  sermon.  Altogether,  the 
change  seemed  not  for  the  better.  I  longed  for  the  "  good 
old  times  "  in  the  little,  dingy,  crowded  chapel,  when  the 
people  sat  down  together  (as  in  all  Eastern  places  of  wor 
ship),  and  heart  responded  to  heart,  and  Christ's  disciples 
were  in  the  fervor  of  their  "  first  love,"  and  had  lost  none 
of  their  childlike  simplicity.  Could  it  be  possible  that  the 
"  noble  vine  "  planted  by  God's  hand — "  wholly  a  right 
seed,"  and  giving  promise  of  much  fruit, — had  already  begun 
to  degenerate  ?  The  thought  was  too  painful. 

"Little  foxes  "had  indeed  entered  that  vineyard  of  the 
Lord,  and  injured  the  vines,  with  their  "tender  grapes." 
Some  "  stone  of  stumbling  "  caused  a  partial  division  in  the 


130  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


church ;  it  was  a  slight  thing,  and  might  easily  have  been 
healed  at  first ;  but  it  grew,  and  finally  resulted  in  a  rupture 
between  the  preacher  and  his  people,  and  he  sadly  left  them, 
to.  labor  in  another  place. 

It  afterward  appeared,  that  the  trouble  might  have  been 
averted,  if  Hohannes  had  been  settled  as  their  pastor, 
receiving  his  support  in  part,  or  as  a  whole,  from  the  people, 
which  he  at  last  offered  to  do,  expecting  to  live  accordingly 
(although  his  home  and  surroundings  were  exceedingly  plain 
and  simple).  But  the  marriage  between  preacher  and  people 
had  been  too  long  delayed,  and  the  betrothment  was  the  more 
easily  broken  !  It  seemed  a  sad  mistake  ;  and  mistakes  are 
far  more  fatal  when  foundations  are  being  laid,  than  after 
ward.  But  the  missionary  was  away,  spending  much  of  his 
time  and  strength  in  other  portions  of  his  immense  field  ; 
and  the  matter  seemed  too  far  advanced  for  settlement 
when  it  came  before  him.  The  remedy  was  sought  in 
installing  a  pastor  over  them  at  an  early  day ;  he  was 
elderly,  and  experienced — a  good  man,  but  the  union  lacked 
its  vital  element — love  ! 

A  longer  stay,  and  a  deeper  insight,  revealed  some  pleas- 
anter  changes,  and  rebuked  my  want  of  faith.  Sunday 
evening  a  brother  came  in  who  seemed  another  Amooja ;  the 
people  looked  up  to  him  as  a  holy  man,  and  I  was  told  of 
his  rising  in  the  night,  and  going  by  himself  to  read,  and 
think,  and  pray;  that  he  said  to  his  brethren,  "  If  you  want 
to  know  what  happiness  is,  you  must  do  the  same  !  "  "  His 
wife,  a  pleasant  woman,  and  his  five  children,  sit  in  a  room 
together,  every  evening,  and  each  repeats  a  hymn,  and  prays. 
Lemuel  peddles  calico,  and  preaches  the  Gospel  to  all  the 
women,  and  they  like  him ;  and  everybody  sees  a  great 


NICOMEDIA.  131 

change  in  him  since  he  became  a   true  Christian,"   said  the 
friends  who  were  telling  me  the  story. 

On  Monday  I  visited  the  newr  silk  factory,  with  my  hostess, 
and  found  sixty  ignorant  and  indolent  girls  there  employed ; 
a  field  for  Christian  work !  As  we  were  passing  along  the 
streets,  a  number  of  women  who  were  spreading  bulgoor  on 
sheets  to  dry,  or  doing  their  family  washing,  said  to  me, 
significantly,  "  You  do  not  do  such  work ;  you  are  rich  !  " 
The  remark  revealed  one  of  the  hinderances  in  the  way  of 
the  Missionary.  Of  work  which  is  not  physical,  the  people 
have  not  the  faintest  conception  !  It  brought  to  mind  a 
speech  made  in  my  hearing,  when  but  a  child,  by  a  narrow- 
minded  old  farmer  who  earned  his  bread  by  the  sweat  of  his 
brow  :  that  "  Ministers  should  work  for  their  living  as  well 
as  other  people !  "  and  threw  additional  light  on  the  vexed 
question  of  ministerial  support. 

THE    WORK  AMONG    THE    WOMEN. 

We  visited  several  Protestant  families,  and  I  asked  the 
sisters  how  they  had  gone  on  in  their  way  heavenward.  They 
confessed  that  their  love  had  grown  cold,  and  that  they  often 
asked  themselves,  "  Where  is  our  first  love  ?  "  One  of  the 
brethren  came  in  while  we  were  talking,  and  said  that  chil 
dren,  work,  and  care  had  kept  them  back ;  but  I  told  them 
that  earthly  cares  should  lead  them  nearer  to  Christ.  That 
they  should  blend  Him  with  all  their  daily  life ;  tell  Him  all 
their  troubles,  and  get  help  from  the  only  source  of  strength. 

It  was  sweet  to  talk  to  them  of  Christ  as  the  Burden- 
bearer,  and  ever-present  Helper;  and  they  thanked  me 
repeatedly,  and  hoped  that  they  should  grow  in  grace  here 
after. 


132  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


After  supper,  I  called  to  see  the  father  of  one  of  my  pupils, 
— a  man  of  some  property,  but  close  and  avaricious, — and 
had  a  long  talk  with  him  about  his  daughter.  He  was  a 
Protestant,  but  not  a  living  Christian  ;  and  after  appealing 
to  higher  motives,  I  was  compelled  to  work  upon  his  pride 
and  ambition  :  telling  him  that  I  must  report  at  home  what 
his  daughter  was  doing.  That  he  had  been  at  little  or  no 
expense  for  her  during  the  four  years  she  was  at  school,  and 
that  she  was  now  under  obligation  to  employ  her  time  and 
talents  for  the  Lord. 

The  force  of  example  was  also  brought  to  bear  upon  him, 
in  the  case  of  another  Protestant  father,  similarly  situated, 
who  established  his  daughter  in  a  school  mostly  at  his  own 
expense.  The  man  proved  a  "  tough  subject ;  "  he  had  set  his 
face  like  a  flint  against  Noonia's  attempts  to  teach,  and  the 
mother  was  equally  worldly,  calling  all  her  daughter's  plans 
for  usefulness,  laziness ;  telling  her  that  her  desire  to  go 
to  meeting,  give  lessons,  etc.,  was  merely  to  get  rid  of 
work  ! 

In  the  estimation  of  both  parents,  nothing  was  of  much 
worth  that  did  not  promote  thrift,  and  the  increase  of  worldly 
goods.  But  the  father  finally  surrendered,  threw  down  his 
arms,  and  promised  his  consent  to  the  daughter's  teaching  a 
school,  and  some  assistance  towards  paying  for  the  room ! 

A  rather  uncouth,  yet  honest  and  kindly  Protestant  couple 
from  Tamluk,  spent  the  evening  at  the  pastor's,  and  I  greatly 
enjoyed  hearing  them  tell  of  the  progress  of  truth  in  that 
region.  After  family  worship  they  left,  and  "  Mrs.  Variety  " 
had  the  divan-cover  gathered  up  and  taken  away,  with  a  sig 
nificant  look,  which  I  understood. 

She  said,  in  apology,  that  she  was  frequently  obliged  to  do 


NICOMEDIA.  133 


this,  to  prevent  the  scattered  vermin  from  collecting  upon 
her  children, — a  thing  which  I  had  never  yet  seen  a  mission 
ary  lady  do,  though  one  of  the  trials  of  life  in  that  land. 
Even  in  Constantinople,  I  had  sometimes  known  a  missionary 
to  be  compelled  to  change  his  clothing  after  a  Sunday  ser 
vice.  But,  as  a  general  rule,  "  native  helpers,"  accustomed 
all  their  lives  to  the  "  plagues  of  Egypt,"  make  far  more  ado 
about  the  trial,  in  their  evangelistic  tours,  than  a  foreign 
missionary,  to  whom  the  self-denial  is  tenfold  greater. 

It  was  good  to  meet  again  a  company  of  women  in  the 
former  chapel-room.  As  of  old,  the  floor  was  thickly  covered 
with  mothers  and  children ;  and  after  the  usual  exercises,  I 
started  the  inquiry  as  to  how  many  could  read,  and  found, 
to  my  sorrow,  that  but  a  small  proportion  of  those  present 
had  learned.  Commencing  with  the  oldest,  I  begged  her  to 
promise  me  that  she  would  give  at  least  fifteen  minutes  a  day 
to  the  task.  She  said  that  she  was  too  old  ;  but  at  last  prom 
ised  to  give  some  time,  and  I  held  her  to  the  fifteen  minutes. 
Next,  her  son's  wife,  and  so  on,  enlisting  all  who  could  read, 
to  teach  the  others.  This  they  promised  to  do,  and  the 
work  of  selection  commenced. 

Those  who  were  scarcely  beyond  Aip,  Pen,  Kim, — A.  B. 
C. — were  to  teach  the  letters  to  beginners. 

It  was  a  lively  scene;  the  room  was  rilled  with  the  hum  of 
voices,  in  eager  consultation  ;  the  waters  were  stirred,  and  a 
new  life  seemed  to  move  the  mass.  I  told  them  that  I  should 
take  a  list  of  their  names,  and  hold  them  to  their  promise ; 
that  Marta  would  write  me  of  the  result,  and  if  God  willed, 
I  would  come  again,  and  see  for  myself.  "  O,  yes,"  they  all 
exclaimed  ;  "  come,  and  stay  longer  the  next  time  !  "  There 
were  a  number  of  Armenian  women  present  from  the  Old 


134  THE    UOMANCK   OF   MISSIONS. 

Church,  and  one  of  them  invited  me  to  visit  their  school  for 
girls,  which  I  promised  to  do. 

After  a  serious  conversation  with  two  mothers  who  seemed 
to  spend  much  time  in  adorning  the  persons  of  their  little 
ones,  while  they  neglected  the  instruction  of  their  hearts  and 
minds,  \ve  separated,  with  many  thanks  from  all,  and  a  hearty 
God-speed  in  my  work  for  the  Master. 

MART  A. 

One  of  the  bright  little  girls  whom  I  selected,  at  the  close 
of  my  first  visit  in  Bardezag,  for  training  in  our  Mission- 
school,  had  finished  her  course  of  study,  and  was  a  success 
ful  teacher  in  her  native  village ;  and,  before  I  saw  for 
myself  the  precious  fruit  of  Christian  culture,  Mr.  Parsons 
had  written  most  cheering  testimony  concerning  Marta's 
usefulness  : 

"  I  am  very  much  pleased  with  the  order  and  prompt 
obedience  maintained  in  her  school,  and  the  manifest  interest 
of  the  pupils  in  their  studies.  Marta  is  fond  of  children  and 
of  her  work.  Her  interesting  Scripture-lessons  will  never 
be  forgotten,  because  her  heart,  her  very  soul,  seems  to  go 
with  them  as  the  chief  element ;  and  the  soul-nourishment 
which  they  become  will  appear  in  after-growth.  She  is  the 
best  teacher  we  have  had  in  Bardezag. 

"  Her  labors  out  of  school  are  also  very  promising  of 
good.  Taking  a  few  tracts,  she  goes  out  where  the  women 
and  children  are  found,  in  the  mulberry  orchards,  under  the 
pear  trees,  and  in  the  vineyards.  Wherever  she  goes,  she  is 
welcomed,  and  her  instructions  and  tracts  are  most  gratefully 
received.  She  has  ten  adults  under  instruction,  who  receive 
regular  lessons  in  reading  at  their  houses.  Her  six  days' 


NICOMEDIA.  135 


work  is  happily  crowned  by  the  Sabbath's  more  abundant 
labors.  One-half  of  the  school-room  is  filled  with  middle- 
aged  women,  young  women,  and  girls.  The  other  half  is 
nearly  filled  with  children,  under  the  instruction  of  Nocnia, 
with  the  little  aid  which  Marta's  presence  affords.  Last 
Sunday,  Noonia  had  thirty  little  girls  in  her  class.  One  of 
the  brethren  has  the  little  boys,  and  the  pastor's  wife  an 
other  class  of  women  upstairs.  After  the  Sabbath  services, 
Marta  occasionally  goes  to  the  further  end  of  the  town,  and 
holds  a  meeting  for  the  women  of  that  quarter. 

"  They  urge  her  to  come  regularly,  because  it  is  so  far  to 
the  chapel,  and  they  have  to  pass  through  so  many  crowded 
streets,  that  they  cannot  come.  Her  head  and  heart  are 
full  of  plans  for  doing  good. 

"  I  told  her  of  the  congregation  we  had  yesterday  in 
Ovajuk,  where  the  women  were  so  fierce  in  their  opposition ; 
and  she  asked  if  she  could  not  go  there  to  work  during  the 
fifteen  days'  vacation  which  she  expects  to  have  in  August. 
Noonia  is  also  trying  to  do  good.  She  has  a  circle  of  ten 
women,  whom  she  teaches  to  read,  besides  her  work  in  the 
Sunday-school.  But  her  situation  at  home  is  very  trying. 
Her  parents  are  both  worldly,  and  her  mother  has  no  religion 
with  her  worldliness,  and  hinders  her  in  every  possible  way. 
Could  Noonia  have  more  command  of  her  time,  she  would 
do  a  great  deal  of  good.  She  acknowledges  that  she  is  often 
restive  under  the  restraints  laid  upon  her,  and  sometimes 
gets  angry  and  makes  improper  replies  to  unkind  remarks 
made  by  her  mother.  But  she  appears  to  be  striving  to 
overcome  herself  and  do  her  duty.  Marta  will  be  a  great 
help  to  her." 


136  THE   ROMANCE   OF  MISSIONS. 

HE  CHEN  A. 

Quite  a  little  romance  attaches  to  the  history  of  Hechena, 
or  Helena,  the  brightest  and  most  attractive  of  the  three  girls 
educated  for  Bardezag. 

A  fine-looking  young  theologue,  at  Constantinople,  had 
nearly  completed  his  course  of  study,  and  was  appointed  to 
a  field  of  labor.  He  naturally  sought  a  help-meet,  and  his 
choice  fell  upon  Helena,  whose  excellent  letters  of  advice  to 
her  brother  in  the  Seminary,  containing  apt  quotations  from 
"Wayland's  Moral  Science,"  he  had  occasionally  been  al 
lowed  to  see.  Opportunity  was  afforded  for  a  slight  personal 
acquaintance  between  the  two,  and  a  formal  (written)  prop 
osition  was  made  by  the  young  man  to  Helena's  widowed 
mother  and  a  pious  uncle,  who  acted  as  her  guardian.  The 
affair  was  pending  for  some  time.  Finally,  it  was  agreed  to 
let  it  remain  in  statu  quo  for  two  years,  till  they  should  see 
how  the  young  man  would  turn  out.  In  speaking  of  it  after 
ward,  the  uncle  observed  :  "  One  can't  tell,  nowadays, 
whether  a  man  will  be  stable  and  remain  true  to  his  profes 
sion,  or  not.  Who  knows  ?  Asadoor  may  turn  aside  from 
preaching  and  become  a  doctor,  or  go  into  some  other 
business.  If  it  was  B.  Alexan,  now!  I  would  give  her  to 
him  in  a  minute." 

The  remark  reached  the  ear  of  the  young  preacher  at 
Adabazar.  His  people  had  long  been  anxious  that  he 
should  take  unto  himself  a  wife  ;  and,  in  fact,  they  would 
not  settle  him  as  their  pastor  till  he  should  marry  some  one 
in  that  region;  they  fcired  that  a  wife  whose  friends  lived 
at  a  distance  would  in  time  draw  him  from  his  people.  B. 
Alexan  had  seen  the  maiden ;  he  was  pleased  with  the  spirit 


NICOMEDIA.  137 


manifested  by  her  guardians,  and  came,  post-haste,  to  secure 
the  prize.  He  took  no  preliminary  steps ;  "  conferred  not 
with  flesh  and  blood ;"  but,  walking  directly  into  the  room 
where  Helena  sat  with  her  sewing,  at  once  offered  his  heart 
and  hand,  quite  startling  the  gentle  girl  by  his  abrupt 
wooing — a  marked  contrast  to  the  courting  done  by  proxy 
in  that  place,  six  years  before  !  The  marriage  was  celebrated 
with  more  than  usual  "  pomp  and  circumstance,"  and  there 
were  great  rejoicings  in  both  towns  over  the  auspicious 
event.  Helena's  mother  possessed  some  property,  and  she 
procured  her  daughter's  "tocher,"  or  bridal  outfit,  from 
Constantinople,  purchasing  a  couple  of  silk  dresses  and  a 
gold  watch,  among  other  things.  But  the  dear  young  bride 
was  a  true  Christian,  and,  when  once  settled  in  her  new 
home,  among  her  husband's  people,  she  laid  aside  the  finery 
which  was  not  of  her  own  seeking,  adopted  the  ordinary 
dress  of  the  women,  and  gave  her  heart  and  soul  to  the 
work  of  a  pastor's  wife,  at  home,  in  the  Sunday-school,  and 
among  the  families,  winning  all  hearts  by  her  bright  face 
and  modest,  gentle  deportment.  B.  Alexan  was  soon  in 
stalled  over  the  church  at  Adabazar,  and  had  the  honor  of 
being  the  first  pastor  in  the  "  Western  Turkey  Mission," 
who  relinquished  his  more  liberal  and  sure  salary  from  the 
American  Board,  and  accepted  whatever  his  own  people 
would  give  for  his  support.  But  it  required  considerable 
self-denial  on  his  part — the  "  wearing  an  old  coat,  for 
Christ's  sake,"  and  other  domestic  economies,  which  in  time 
might  become  irksome,  unless  his  people  should  keep  pace 
with  him  in  Christian  growth,  and  learn  that  the  preacher 
earns  his  due,  as  much  as  the  doctor,  the  lawyer,  or  the 
baker;  and  that  every  member  of  the  church  and  congrega- 


138  THE   ROMANCE   OF  MISSIONS. 


tion  is  under  unquestionable  moral  obligation  to  pay  his 
proportion;  and  that  it  is  as  truly  dishonesty  not  to  do  it  as 
it  would  be  to  occupy  a  seat  in  a  steamer  and  refuse  to  pay 
the  fare  !  For,  "  Even  so  hath  the  Lord  ordained,  that  they 
which  preach  the  Gospel  should  live  of  the  Gospel."  "  Who 
goeth  a  warfare  any  time  at  his  own  charges  ?  Who  planteth 
a  vineyard,  and  eateth  not  of  the  fruit  thereof?  Or  who 
feedeth  a  flock,  and  eateth  not  of  the  milk  of  the  flock  ?  " 
Which  plain  and  faithful  truths  it  was  very  unlikely  the 
young  pastor  would  preach  to  his  flock,  from  the  same 
sensitiveness  and  lack  of  moral  courage  which  has  kept  a 
large  proportion  of  ministers  at  home  unduly  silent  on  the 
subject,  resulting  not  only  in  their  meagre  maintenance,  but 
also  in  immense  loss  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  from  the  popular 
impression  that  the  support  of  the  Gospel  is  a  CHARITY  ! 

A    SCHOOL    OF    THE  PROPHETS. 

There  was  a  large  and  flourishing  school  connected  with 
the  Old  Armenian  Church  in  Bardezag,  and  the  teacher  of 
the  Protestant  day-school  for  boys  (who  was  on  friendly 
terms  with  its  superintendent)  offered  to  accompany  me 
thither.  I  was  hardly  prepared  to  see  so  lofty  and  noble  a 
school-room  as  that  into  which  we  were  ushered,  on  our 
arrival.  The  head  teacher  met  us  with  many  salaams,  and 
conducted  us  to  a  divan  upon  the  dais,  opposite  the  door. 
There  were  thirty-two  windows  in  the  spacious  apartment ; 
these  were  very  high,  and  thrown  wide  open  on  either  side, 
making  the  ventilation  perfect.  The  air  of  the  room  was  as 
fresh,  as  it  was  surprising,  in  a  country  where  no  attention  is 
paid  to  sanitary  surroundings  !  Three  rows  of  low  desks, 
conspicuously  numbered,  were  ranged  on  opposite  sides,  and 


NICOMEDIA.  139 


their  occupants  sat  cross-legged  upon  cushions  placed  on 
the  floor,  while  rows  of  less  favored  boys  filled  a  portion  of 
the  space  beyond,  their  "  walking  apparatus  "  doubled  up 
under  them  for  seats  !  I  entered  into  conversation  with  the 
superintendent,  a  fine-looking  man,  who  reclined  at  his  ease 
upon  the  divan;  he  told  me  that  there  were  not  far  from 
two  hundred  pupils  present,  but  the  entire  number  on  their 
list  was  five  hundred. 

They  were  bright,  substantial-looking  boys,  altogether  the 
most  promising  set  I  had  seen  collected  in  Turkey. 

"  Surely,"  T  thought,  "  here  must  be  a  school  that  is  worth 
something,  after  all."  I  inquired  what  was  taught  in  the 
school,  found  that  it  was  little  more  than  reading,  writing,  and 
the  ancient  Armenian  grammar,  and  asked  the  head  teacher 
if  he  would  kindly  allow  me  to  hear  one  of  the  recitations. 
He  politely  consented,  and  I  was  not  a  little  startled  and 
amused  when  the  assistant,  whom  he  had  directed  to  call  a 
class,  sang  out,  in  loud,  explosive  tones,  "  No.  81  !  No.  100  ! 
Brethren  !  Beloved  !  "  Following  this  general  and  deliber 
ate  announcement  with  a  string  of  names  which  rattled  off 
from  his  tongue  like  so  many  small  shot,  after  the  booming 
of  a  cannon.  ';  Brother  Moses,  brother  Abraham,  David, 
Daniel,  Aaron,  Shadrach,  Solomon,  Isaiah,  and  Abed-nego," 
ending  the  Old  Testament  saints  with  a  sprinkling  of  apos 
tles  and  martyrs ;  till  I  almost  expected  to  see  a  company  of 
ancient  worthies  come  trooping  before  us  in  answer  to  the 
call. 

The  boys  marched  out  in  military  order,  formed  a  semi 
circle  around  the  platform,  and  made  a  low  salaam  in 
concert.  They  presented  a  striking  contrast  to  the  same 
class  of  lads  in  our  schools  at  home,  with  their  closely-shaven 


140  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

heads,   loose  jackets,  bagging    trowsers,  and  bulky  girdles, 
after  the  fashion  of  their  fathers. 

The  teacher  called  upon  "  brother  Paul "  to  read.  He 
stepped  forward,  made  a  graceful  salutation,  and  commenced 
reading  in  stentorian  voice.  I  perceived  that  he  was  read 
ing  the  classical  ancient  Armenian, — which  is  very  much  to 
them  what  Latin  is  to  us, — and  asked  the  teacher  if  the  boy 
understood  what  he  read.  "  Not  much,"  was  the  reply. 
"  But  have  you  no  dictionary  to  aid  your  pupils  in  the  study 
of  words  ?  "  "  No ;  there  is  nothing  of  the  kind  in  our 
schools."  "But  surely,  the  teacher  explains  to  the  pu 
pils  the  meaning  of  v/hat  they  read  ?  "  The  subject  was 
evidently  distasteful,  and  I  was  answered  with  an  equivocal 
shrug  of  the  shoulders.  I  could  scarcely  restrain  my  right 
eous  indignation  at  a  system  which  doomed  those  fine  lads 
to  utter  ignorance,  beneath  a  show  of  learning  !  The  "  mod 
ern  Armenian  "  had  no  place  in  the  school ;  there  were  no  text 
books  in  the  vernacular.  When  the  class  had  retired,  I  told 
the  teacher  something  of  the  course  of  study  pursued  in 
American  schools ;  and  that  in  our  school  for  Armenian 
girls,  at  Stamboul,  we  taught  not  only  reading  and  writing 
in  the  spoken  language  of  the  people,  but  also  grammar, 
arithmetic,  geography,  history,  map-drawing,  a  little  natural 
philosophy,  astronomy,  etc.,  besides  singing  by  note,  and 
instruction  in  needle-work.  That  the  Word  of  God  was 
the  chief  text-book,  because  it  alone  is  able  to  make  us  wise 
unto  salvation,  and  that  we  esteemed  it  the  foundation  of  all 
true  wisdom. 

I  went  on  to  speak  of"  the  grand  results  produced  by  an 
education  which,  putting  the  key  to  all  knowledge  into  the 
hands  of  the  young,  trains  them  to  think. 


NICOMEDIA.  141 


But  the  teacher  again  shrugged  his  shoulders,  saying,  with 
a  peculiar  grimace,  "  Ench  unnenk? — what  can  we  do?  Our 
fathers  did  thus,  and  so  we !  "  Taking  courage,  I  rejoined, 
"  If  these  boys  were  taught  something  that  they  could  under 
stand,  they  would  like  to  come  to  school,  which  you  say  they 
do  not  now.  Their  minds  would  expand  and  grow,  and 
you  would  soon  see  a  great  change  in  your  village. 

"  For  lack  of  this,  you  are  behind  all  other  nations  in  the 
march  of  progress.  Educate  these  boys  in  the  true  way, 
and  you  will  see  better  buildings,  broader,  cleaner  streets, 
and  finer  manufactories  in  all  your  towns  and  villages.  In 
time,  it  would  change  the  face  of  the  whole  land.  The 
wonderful  labor-saving  machines,  by  which  one  roan  can 
now  perform  the  work  of  fifty  or  a  hundred,  were  invented 
by  those  who  were  once  boys,  in  the  schools  of  England  and 
America." 

The  six  teachers  had  gathered  around,  some  of  them  sitting 
upon  the  steps  at  our  feet,  looking  up  with  earnest,  respect 
ful  attention,  and  only  putting  in  a  word,  or  uttering  an  ex 
clamation  now  and  then,  as  I  described  some  of  the  wonder 
ful  inventions  of  the  age,  wrought  out  by  minds  that  had 
been  thus  trained.  I  afterwards  wondered  at  my  temerity 
in  talking  to  such  a  company,  in  such  a  place,  and  at  them 
for  listening  so  politely  to  a  woman!  But  my  mouth  was 
opened,  and  "  filled  with  arguments,"  and  I  waxed  warm,  if 
not  eloquent,  under  the  inspiration  of  the  scene  which  that 
school-room  presented.  After  a  pause,  one  of  the  teachers 
remarked,  "  But  our  school  is  good  for  one  thing  ;  our  priests 
and  vartabeds  (a  higher  order)  come  from  these  boys  !"  "  Ah  ! 
then  that  proves  that  your  priests  and  vartabeds  do  not 
themselves  understand  what  they  teach  the  people  !  "  To 


142  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

this  they  made  no  reply ;  and  I  proceeded  to  speak  of  the 
Bible, — "  God's  message  to  all  mankind,— that  no  one  has  a 
right  to  deprive  them  of  the  privilege  of  reading  it  in  a 
language  which  they  can  understand;  and  the  hiding  it  in  a 
dead  language  is  a  subtle  device  of  the  Evil  one."  They 
acknowledged  the  truth  of  the  statement,  gave  the  usual 
shrug,  and  contortion  of  the  face,  saying,  "  What  can  we  do  ? 
It  is  our  custom  !  "  (An  invariable  answer  among  Orientals, 
when  driven  into  a  corner,  and  considered  a  sufficient 
excuse  for  anything  to  which  one  may  take  exception.) 
"Yes,"  I  said,  "and  Satan  rejoices  that  you  have  such  cus 
toms;  he  knows  that  these  customs  will  keep  your  people  in 
profound  ignorance,  and  ensure  their  ruin.  Your  priests 
should  guide  their  flocks  in  the  way  to  heaven  ;  but  so  long 
as  they  cannot  know  the  way  themselves,  they  are,  as  Christ 
said,  *  blind  leaders  of  the  blind  ! ' '  They  seemed  exceed 
ingly  interested,  and  not  at  all  offended  with  my  plain  speak 
ing;  and  the  Protestant  teacher  who  had  preferred  to  remain 
silent  during  the  prolonged  conversation,  expressed  great 
pleasure  and  surprise  at  the  opportunity  afforded  for  a 
presentation  of  so  much  truth.  Two  of  the  teachers  had 
been  reading  the  Bible  in  modern  Armenian,  and  seemed 
somewhat 'enlightened,  but  threw  the  blame  of  what  they 
confessed  was  a  wrong  state  of  things,  upon  the  "fathers," 
and  the  "  heads  "  or  rulers  of  the  nation.  When  we  rose  to 
depart,  they  courteously  attended  us  to  the  door,  and  ex 
pressed  their  thanks  with  Oriental  politeness.  We  begged 
permission  to  visit  the  school  for  girls,  which  was  granted, 
after  some  hesitation,  and  many  apologies  for  its  appearance. 


NICOMEDIA.  143 


THE  MINOR    PROPHETS,  AND    THE    SCHOOL 
FOR   GIRLS. 

One  of  the  assistants  guided  us  to  a  room  below,  where 
we  found  another  and  younger  collection  of  boys,  almost 
equal  in  numbers  to  those  above.  There  was  but  one  teacher, 
and  an  assistant  who  walked  about,  rod  in  hand,  constantly 
touching  up  the  youngsters,  who  were  thickly  huddled 
together  upon  the  floor.  Some  of  the  little  ones,  not  more 
than  three  years  old,  were  fast  asleep.  "  I  used  to  come  here 
when  a  little  fellow,"  said  the  Protestant  teacher,  "  and  many  a 
time  was  I  put  to  sleep  by  the  rod  !  You  see,  many  of  the 
mothers  send  their  little  ones  to  school  merely  to  get  them  out 
of  the  way  ;  and  if  they  sleep,  it  is  so  much  clear  gain  to  the 
teacher !  "  Poor  little  fellows !  my  thoughts  went  back  to 
the  large,  airy  room  appropriated  to  that  class  of  children 
(boys  and  girls)  in  the  "  Graded  School  "  of  my  native 
town  ;  the  learning  to  read,  in  concert,  from  letters  printed 
on  the  black-board,  in  combinations  representing  familiar 
things ;  the  singing,  and  marching,  and  clapping  of  hands, 
and  the  Object-lessons,  which  varied  the  usual  exercises;  the 
frequent  recesses,  and  lively  games  in  the  beautiful  play 
ground  (in  which  their  teacher  often  joined),  and  the  pleas 
ant  little  story  which  always  finished  the  day,  and  sent  them 
home  with  a  moral  lesson  impressed  upon  their  tender 
hearts.  What  a  blessed,  holy  work  is  that  of  the  first 
teacher !  What  a  preparation  for  future  usefulness  on  a 
broader  scale  ! 

"  Up  to  me,  sweet  childhood  looketh  ; 
Heart,  and  mind,  and  soul  awake  ! 
Teach  me,  for  their  sake,  O  Father, — 
For  sweet  childhood's  sake." 


144  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

But  if  my  pity  was  stirred  for  the  boys,  my  deepest  com 
miseration  was  excited  when  I  saw  the  miserable  provision 
made  for  the  girls  !  Indeed,  it  was  matter  of  surprise  to 
find  anything  in  the  shape  of  a  school  for  that  despised  class 
in  the  community.  "  Teach  a  girl  to  read?  You  might  as 
well  teach  a  cat !  "  was  said,  not  only  by  the  Arabs  of  Syria, 
but  by  Armenians,  Greeks,  Jews,  and  the  other  races  of 
Turkeydom,  but  a  few  years  ago.  "  What  good  will  reading 
do  a  woman  ?  "  they  asked.  "  Will  it  make  her  more  obe 
dient  to  her  husband  ?  No,  never !  If  the  woman  thinks 
she  knows  something,  she  will  be  more  perverse  and  difficult 
to  manage  than  ever !  And  as  for  the  girls,  why,  if  they 
learn  to  read  and  write,  they  will  be  writing  love-letters  the 
first  thing!" 

I  was  reading  a  newspaper  in  the  cabin  of  a  Turkish 
steamer,  on  the  Bosphorus,  one  summer  day,  when  a  Turk 
of  the  old  school,  who  had  evidently  been  for  some  time 
watching  the — to  him — strange  proceeding,  crossed  over  to 
my  escort,  and  eagerly  inquired,  as  he  nodded  his  head  in 
my  direction,  "  Can  she  read?  can  she  read?"  On  being 
answered  in  the  affirmative,  and  assured  that  I  could  also 
write,  his  wonder  knew  no  bounds,  and  he  returned  to  his 
seat,  muttering  "  Mash  Allah  !  Mash  Allah  !  " — God  is  great. 

With  renewed  apologies  for  the  appearance  of  the  place,  we 
were  conducted  to  a  tumble-down  old  building  in  another 
and  a  poorer  neighborhood.  I  scarcely  dared  trust  myselt 
upon  the  rickety  staircase.  We  passed  through  the  open 
door-way  into  a  low,  dark  room,  filled  with  smoke,  and  the 
fetid  odor  from  furnaces  (for  scalding  cocoons)  across  the 
narrow  street.  Upon  the  floor  sat  a  hundred  little  girls, 
herded  together  like  a  drove  of  sheep  or  pigs.  At  first,  no 


NICOMEDIA.  145 


teacher  was  visible ;  but  when  the  smoke  cleared  away  a 
little,  I  saw  a  very  old  man  sitting,  cross-legged,  in  one  cor 
ner,  smoking  his  pipe,  while  a  child  about  six  years  old  was 
kneeling  by  the  rough  wooden  bo-x  which  stood  before  him, 
as  if  waiting  for  a  lesson  or  command.  How  unutterably 
stupid,  and  devoid  of  animation  seemed  that  crowd  of  chil 
dren  !  Poor  little  creatures  !  How  could  they  be  anything  but 
dull  and  heavy,  in  such  a  prison-like  place,  with  such  a 
teacher!  My  heart  yearned  over  them  with  unspeakable 
compassion.  I  longed  to  waken  their  sleeping  souls;  but 
when  I  expressed  the  wish  to  the  Armenian  teacher  who 
had  accompanied  us  from  the  other  school,  and  said  a  few 
words  about  the  way  in  which  such  children  should  be 
taught,  he  at  once  replied,  "  It  is  impossible!  Their  mothers 
do  not  know  anything,  and  how  can  they  teach  them  ?  The 
children  are  stupid,  like  little  animals,  they  cannot  under 
stand,  and  if  you  try,  it  will  be  of  no  use."  But  I  could  not 
leave  them  without  at  least  one  attempt  to  touch  the  hidden 
springs  of  life,  and  rouse  those  little  ones  from  their  un 
natural  lethargy ;  and  turning  to  the  old  man  trembling  in 
his  dotage,  requested  permission  to  tell  them  a  story.  His 
speech  was  very  thick,  and  one  could  with  difficulty  under 
stand  his  utterances,  but  I  gathered  that  he  was  entirely  un 
willing.  He  said  that  the  children  would  not  pay  attention, 
etc. ;  but  after  he  had  mumbled  out  his  objections,  the  Ar 
menian  teacher  kindly  used  his  influence  ;  and  finally  a  reluc 
tant  consent  was  obtained.  Turning  to  my  audience, — look 
ing  so  like  a  company  of  little,  worn-out  old  women — I 
addressed  them  in  their  own  tongue,  asking  the  attention 
of  every  eye.  Curiosity  was  soon  awakened,  and  they 
listened  with  fixed  attention,  while  I  told  them  the  simple 
7 


146  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

story  of  a  poor  pious  widow,  who  had  no  bread  to  give 
her  children,  one  cold  winter  morning  ;  but  she  told 
them  that  God  would  provide,  and  how  her  hungry  lit 
tle  boy  stopped  on  his  way  to  school,  and  kneeling  down 
in  a  corner  of  the  fence  by  the  road-side,  asked  "  our  Father 
in  heaven"  to  send  some  bread  and  potatoes.  That  when 
he  went  home,  at  noon,  his  little  sister  met  him  at  the  door, 
with  a  shining  face,  to  tell  of  the  food  that  had  come ;  and 
he  said,  "  I  knew  God  would  send  it,  for  I  asked  Him !  but 
did  an  angel  bring  it  down  ?"  That  God  had  used  a  kind  lady, 
who  was  passing  by,  and  heard  the  little  boy's  prayer;  and 
going  home,  she  sent  an  abundant  supply  of  the  bread  and 
potatoes  for  which  he  had  asked.  As  I  described  the  scene, 
the  eyes  of  my  little  auditors  began  to  kindle  with  something 
like  life  and  light !  And  then  I  hastened  to  tell  them  of 
Jesus,  who  said, "  Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto  Me, 
and  forbid  them  not ;  "  and  how  they  might  go  to  Him,  in 
prayer,  at  all  times,  and  for  all  things.  Not  an  eye  wan 
dered  while  I  was  speaking,  and  every  face  bore  silent 
testimony  to  the  existence  of  a  soul  which  answered  to 
teachings  suited  to  its  capacity.  Perhaps  no  one  present 
was  more  interested  or  affected  than  the  Armenian  teacher 
His  countenance  showed  it  even  more  than  his  words, 
and  he  told  the  children  to  "  remember  what  the  lady  had 
said,  and  when  in  trouble,  to  pray  to  God,  in  the  name  of 
CHRIST  !"  But  I  found  that  he  had  been  reading  the  Word, 
and  was  searching  for  the  truth. 

It  appeared  that  a  spirit  of  rivalry  was  stirred  up  among 
the  Armenians,  by  the  Protestant  school  for  girls,  and  the 
old  man  was  secured  as  teacher,  because  he  was  too  aged  and 
imbecile  for  any  other  work,  and  his  services  would  cost  but 


NICOMEDIA.  147 


little.  The  mothers  were  willing  to  send  their  younger  girls, 
solely  to  keep  them  out  of  mischief  during  the  day,  while 
they  were  at  work.  Girls  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age 
were  rarely  seen  in  the  village,  owing  to  the  fact  of  their 
early  marriage. 

A    TRUE   GENTLEWOMAN. 

I  was  much  pleased,  during  my  visit  of  but  two  or  three 
days,  with  the  way  in  which  the  pastor's  wife  trained  her 
children.  It  was  not  often  that  I  had  seen  a  mother  excel 
her,  in  kind  and  careful  management  of  her  family.  There 
were  three  or  four  little  ones,  besides  a  son  of  twelve  or 
fourteen  years ;  and  they  were  all  remarkably  obedient,  and 
well-mannered,  especially  at  the  table — which  was  prepared 
in  European  fashion.  The  mother  was  herself  a  model,  in 
her  gentle,  lady-like  ways;  always  manifesting  a  delicate 
refinement  and  courtesy,  even  to  the  youngest,  which  would 
have  been  an  honor  to  any  lady  in  any  land.  Zanazan 
Hanum  was  the  first  of  her  country-women  to  welcome  me 
to  her  native  land  and  to  my  work  among  her  people,  when 
I  reached  Constantinople;  and  I  had  never  forgotten  her 
intelligent,  interesting  countenance,  nor  the  lily-like  little 
child,  with  the  mother's  soft  brown  eyes,  who  clung  so 
timidly  to  her  hand  during  our  first  interview.  And  I  gladly 
listened  to  details  of  her  early  life  and  conversion.  I  knew 
that  her  family  were  once  possessed  of  much  wealth  and 
influence ; — and  family,  early  surroundings,  tell  upon  charac 
ter,  and  leave  their  impress  upon  the  personal  bearing,  as 
truly  in  the  East,  as  elsewhere.  Her  father  was  once  the 
chief  iron  merchant  of  Stamboul — he  had,  in  fact,  a  monop 
oly  of  the  business — and  lived  in  the  style  befitting  his  rank 


148  THE   ROMANCE  OF  MISSIONS. 


and  wealth.  Zanazan  Hanum  told  me  of  the  awe  his  pres 
ence  always  inspired,  when  she  was  a  child.  How  on  his 
return  from  the  city  to  his  home  in  Bebek,  on  the  Bosphorus, 
toward  evening  of  each  day,  every  member  of  the  house 
hold  stood  in  silence  when  he  passed  before  them. 

Her  first  lesson  in  pure  Christianity  was  learned  from 
Mrs.  Hamlin,  whose  home  was  not  far  from  her  father's 
house.  It  was  a  lesson  without  words!  The  young  girl 
was  attracted  by  the  order  and  quietness  of  the  household  ; 
the  mild,  sweet  countenance,  the  gentle  voice,  and  the  dress 
of  the  missionary  lady  ;  the  French  prints  which  she  always 
wore — so  delicate  and  chaste  in  pattern,  and  so  scrupulously 
neat — were  a  true  index  of  her  purity  of  mind  and  character.* 
She  was  irresistibly  drawn  to  the  house,  though  neither 
could  then  speak  the  language  of  the  other;  and  frequently 
saw  the  "  little  Henrietta,"  kneeling  by  the  mother's  side,  with 
folded  hands,  for  her  evening  prayer.  The  picture,  so  new 
and  striking,  produced  a  powerful  impression  upon  her  mind, 
and  she  finally  sought  an  explanation  of  its  meaning  from 
the  missionary,  Dr.  Hamlin ;  received  the  teachings  of  the 
Bible,  and  was  led  to  give  her  heart  to  Christ.  She  was 
early  married,  and  soon  a  widow.  Her  second  marriage,  to 
the  Protestant  pastor,  was  for  some  time  opposed  by  her 
friends;  but  the  family  had  fallen  into  decay,  and  though 
the  brothers  still  possessed  considerable  property,  it  was 
worth  their  while  to  have  the  sister  provided  for,  and  her 
unswerving  persistence  at  last  carried  the  day. 

Pastor  Hohannes  der  Sahagyan  was  partially  educated  in 


*  Those  who  have  read  that  very  interesting  Memoir,  "  Light  on 
the  Dark  River."  will  recognize  this  portrait  of  Mrs.  Ilamlin. 


NICOMEDIA.  149 


the  United  States,  and  was  the  first,  settled  pastor  in  the 
Evangelical  Armenian  Church  of  Turkey. 

OLD  CUSTOMS  AND  NEW  IDEAS. 
The  day  before  I  left,  I  mounted  a  horse  and  went  alone 
to  the  outskirts  of  the  village  for  a  little  exercise.  I  was 
quite  a  stranger  in  that  quarter,  and  before  long  a  crowd  of 
rude  boys  collected,  and  commenced  throwing  stones;  at 
first,  I  paid  no  attention,  but  when  a  great  brick-bat  struck 
my  horse,  and  made  him  plunge,  he  suddenly  turned  upon 
the  crowd,  and  scattered  them  like  so  many  frightened 
sheep.  But  no  sooner  had  I  started  down  the  hill,  than  the 
stones  again  began  to  fly.  By  that  time,  a  company  of 
women  had  gathered  to  see  the  sport ;  after  dashing  among 
the  boys,  and  sending  them  flying  in  all  directions,  I 
addressed  the  mothers,  and  asked  them  why  they  did  not 
restrain  their  children.  "  What  harm  am  I  doing,  that 
they  should  thus  treat  me  ?  Is  it  not  a  shame  for  you  to  stand 
by  and  see  my  life  endangered  without  interposing  a  word  ?  " 
Some  of  them  hung  their  heads,  and  slunk  away ;  but  one, 
bolder  than  the  rest,  took  up  the  gauntlet  as  their  champion, 
and  said,  "  Don't  you  want  to  be  like  Christ?  Don't  you 
want  to  be  holy?"  "Of  course  I  do,"  was  my  reply. 
"Well,  then,"  she  argued,  "you  should  be  willing  to  suffer 
persecution,  and  not  make  a  fuss  about  a  few  stones!  "  I 
was  inwardly  amused  at  her  curious  logic,  but  told  her  that  I 
did  not  think  persecuting  me  would  help  them  to  be  holy,  or 
Christ-like !  and  I  did  not  intend  to  exercise  their  disinter 
ested  benevolence  on  my  behalf ! 

.     Riding  off  in  another  direction,  I  came  upon  a  threshing-  ' 
floor,  where  the  patient  oxen  were  slowly  treading  out  the 


I5O  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


wheat,  and  dragging  a  heavy  sledge-like  instrument,  the 
underside  of  which  was  thickly  set  with  sharp  pieces  of 
flint,  reminding  one  of  the  passage  in  Isaiah :  "  I  will  make 
thee  a  new  sharp  threshing  instrument  having  teeth."  At 
another  place,  they  were  winnowing  wheat,  by  casting  it  up 
in  the  air,  and  letting  the  wind  take  away  the  chaff.  "  The 
ungodly  are  like  the  chaff  which  the  wind  driveth  away." 
Many  women  were  busily  employed  in  the  harvest-fields,  and 
some  of  them  recognized  me  as  the  missionary  teacher  from 
Stamboul ;  and,  greatly  to  my  surprise,  very  innocently 
saluted  me  as  "  kahana  " — priest ;  ignorant  of  the  true  title 
which  should  be  given  to  a  woman  who  teaches  Christ  to 
her  own  sex,  and  confused  in  their  ideas  of  a  new  order  of 
things. 

The  pastor  accompanied  me  to  Nicomedia.  We  crossed 
the  Gulf  in  the  sail-boat  with  a  number  of  other  passengers. 
When  about  half-way  across,  our  fare  was  taken,  and  soon 
after  I  saw  the  boatmen  counting  over  the  money,  and  seem 
ing  somewhat  perplexed.  By-and-by  one  of  them  said, 
"  Somebody  has  paid  too  much  !  "  One  and  another  of  the 
passengers  asserted  their  innocence,  and  at  last  the  pastor 
rather  reluctantly  confessed  that  he  was  the  man.  They 
offered  to  refund  the  piastre  or  two,  but  he  politely  waived 
the  subject,  and  afterward  remarked  to  me,  "  One  in  my 
position  is  often  obliged  to  pay  a  little  more  than  others." 
"  But  they  evidently  did  not  expect  it,  and  were  surprised," 
I  replied.  He  merely  said  that  the  boatman  was  a  stranger, 
and  did  not  know  him.  And  I  dropped  a  few  words  about 
educating  people  to  expect  more  pay ;  that  I  was  sure  the 
missionaries  did  not  feel  compelled  to  take  that  course  ;  to 
which  he  made  no  reply.  I  noticed,  on  our  arrival  at  the 


NICOMEDIA.  151 


landing,  that  he  gave  his  satchel  (which  was  not  large)  to  a 
boy  to  carry  for  him. 

Lator  is  considered  degrading  in  the  East.  The  Turks 
and  Armenians  look  on  with  wonder  to  see  the  American 
missionary  carrying  his  own  packages,  or  using  a  hoe  in  his 
garden — if  he  be  so  happy  as  to  have  a  little  spot  to  culti 
vate.  "You  missionaries  can  do  it;  for  your  position  is 
settled ;  but  we  cannot ! "  has  been  sometimes  said  by 
"  helpers  "  whose  traveling  expenses  were  found  to  exceed 
those  of  the  missionaries,  for  the  same  tour.  Self-help, 
self-maintenance,  will  in  due  time  work  a  cure  for  this  false 
pride  ;  when  a  truer,  broader  education  has  elevated  labor 
to  its  true  dignity,  and  made  it  honorable  in  all. 

It  was  a  long  and  weary  ascent  to  the  summit  of  the  hill 
upon  which  the  city  of  Nicomedia  is  built;  and,  quite  out 
of  breath,  we  reached  the  door  of  the  old  Turkish  house 
occupied  by  the  missionary  family ;  it  speedily  flew  open  ; 
the  pattering  of  little  feet  was  heard  upon  the  stairs,  and  the 
children  met  us,  followed  by  their  pleasant,  black-eyed 
mother;  and  I  was  soon  at  home,  resting  upon  the  divan  of 
the  family-room,  the  windows  of  which  commanded  a  fine 
view  of  the  Gulf  of  Nicomedia  and  the  blue  sea  beyond. 

LAST   GLEANINGS  AND    GLIMPSES   OF  NICOMEDIA. 

A  dear  Christian  sister  had  begged  me  to  visit  her  aged 
mother-in-law,  and,  before  leaving  the  city,  I  went  down  the 
hillside  to  her  house.  The  old  lady  still  retained  her  con 
nection  with  the  Armenian  Church,  but  seemed  to  be  halting 
between  the  old,  and  the  new  way,  not  knowing  which  to 
choose,  but  sometimes  going  to  one  church  and  sometimes 
to  the  other,  hoping  that  between  the  two  she  would  be  safe. 


152  THE   ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 


Dear  old  soul !  my  heart  went  out  to  her  in  tender  compas 
sion,  for  the  journey  of  life  was  nearly  ended,  and  she  was 
only  waiting  for  the  summons  from  the  other  side.  After  a 
while,  our  conversation  became  very  serious,  and  I  was  led 
to  set  the  only  way  of  salvation  before  her  so  plainly  that 
she  would  be  without  excuse  if  she  never  heard  more.  She 
repeatedly  wiped  the  tears  from  her  faded  eyes,  and  at  last 
said,  with  apparent  feeling:  "  I  will  confess  to  you  just  as  I 
would  to  my  priest.  I  have  such  a  wicked  heart ;  what  can 
I  do  with  it  ?  "  "  Take  it  to  Jesus ;  He  came  for  sinners, 
not  the  righteous.  Go  to  Him  just  as  you  are,  and  let  Him 
save  you.  '  Repent,  and  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  thou  shalt  be  saved,'  is  God's  own  word,  not  mine." 
While  we  were  conversing,  the  daughter  sat  by,  listening 
with  a  countenance  which  betokened  deep  interest  and  sym 
pathy.  When  I  arose  to  leave,  she  came  to  me  and  ex 
pressed  much  gratitude,  saying,  "  The  Lord  sent  you  to 
speak  to  her."  The  old  lady  followed  me  downstairs,  and 
even  out  into  the  street,  thanking  me  again  and  again  for 
my  words.  Their  house  was  in  the  Armenian  quarter,  and 
Soorpohi,  the  daughter,  promised  to  gather  the  children  for 
an  hour  of  instruction  in  the  Bible  every  Sunday. 

Nicomedia  was  twice  overturned  by  earthquakes,  in  the 
second  and  fourth  centuries.  Perhaps  the  sun  never  shone 
upon  more  horrible  persecutions  than  were  enacted  within 
its  walls  during  the  reign  of  Diocletian — the  "  era  of  mar 
tyrs."  The  ruthless  Emperor  used  every  device  which 
fiendish  ingenuity  could  suggest,  to  "  crush  out "  Chris 
tianity.  "  Houses  filled  with  Christians  were  set  on  fire, 
and  droves  of  them  were  bound  together  with  ropes  and  cast 
into  the  sea."  For  ten  long  years  the  unrelenting  perse- 


NICOMEDIA.  153 


cutor,  like  a  thirsty  bloodhound,  hunted  down  his  helpless 
victims.  The  climax  was  reached  when,  on  a  Christmas 
morning,  he  caused  a  church  filled  with  worshipping  Chris 
tians,  to  be  securely  fastened,  closing  every  avenue  of  escape, 
and  then  set  fire  to  the  building,  and  consumed  them  all  in 
one  horrible  holocaust !  A  few  years  later,  and  Nicomedia 
was  demolished,  and  its  inhabitants  buried  in  its  ruins,  by  a 
fearful  earthquake,  as  if  earth  shuddered  at  the  cruel  deeds, 
and  sought  to  bury  within  her  bosom  the  terrible  record. 
And,  till  the  sea  shall  give  up  its  dead,  what  fearful  secrets 
are  hidden  in  its  depths  !  Under  the  Emperor  Gratian, 
eighty  Christian  fathers  were  put  into  a  ship,  which  was  set 
on  fire,  and  then  driven  out  to  sea,  at  Nicomedia,  A.D.  370. 
Modern  excavations  have  brought  to  light  many  vestiges  of 
past  ages  in  that  fated  city,  reminding  one  of  the  prayer  of 
Job  :  "  Oh,  earth  !  cover  thou  not  my  blood  !  " 

Passing  through  the  city  one  day,  and  slowly  descending 
its  steep  and  stony  streets, — presenting  the  general  aspect  of 
all  Eastern  towns, — relieved  on  the  outskirts  by  ancient  burial- 
places,  with  the  sombre  cypress  standing  sentinel  over  moss- 
grown  graves,  and  turban ed  tombstones,  mantled  with  ivy ; 
and,  now  and  then,  an  old,  fantastic,  pagoda-like  fountain, 
overshadowed  by  lofty  trees,  whose  mossy  trunks  spoke  of 
bygone  centuries — we  came  down  to  the  borders  of  the 
great  plain  where  Diocletian  celebrated  the  imposing  cere 
mony  of  abdication,  the  ist  of  May,  A.D.  305.  Wandering 
about  among  those  ancient  relics,  trying  to  decipher  partial 
ly  restored  inscriptions  upon  aged  tombs,  eulogizing  the 
virtues  of  some  "  Octavia,"  or  "  Flavius,"  we  stumbled  upon 
great  heaps  of  human  skulls,  thrown  out  from  the  foundations 
of  a  new  Greek  church,  built  entirely  of  stone  and  marble 
7* 


154 


THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


exhumed  from  the  old  Roman  ruins — a  striking  emblem  of 
the  new  Church  of  the  living  God,  founded  upon  the  ruins 
of  the  old,  effete  church  in  the  East,  whose  light,  if  kept 
pure,  can  never  go  out ! 


of 

CONSTANTINOPLE 


ofC0nflantuio/>7e  i?  at/out  J  f 


r,>  iTtc  fn 

Hiu-env  Tor 

Grea  A" 

FtirlJiff  east  ?fi& 

of  Scutari 


CHAPTER    IV. 


CONSTANTINOPLE. 

|ERE  we  are,  in  the  City  of  the  Sultans,  the  seven- 
hilled  city  of  Constantine,  which  rises  like  a  vis 
ion  of  enchantment  upon  the  dazzled  sight. 

The  sun  has  just  risen.  Our  steamer  has  passed  through 
the  Dardanelles,  swept  over  the  blue  Sea  of  Marmora, 
rounded  "  Seraglio  Point,"  and  dropped  anchor  in  the 
Golden  Horn. 

Mosques  and  minarets,  domes  and  towers,  are  flashing 
back  the  rays  of  the  glowing  sun. 

Up  the  terraced  hill-sides  of  Galata  and  Pera  —  the  com 
mercial  and  diplomatic  centres  of  foreign  residents  —  rise  a 
dense  mass  of  red-roofed  buildings,  relieved  by  occasional 
clumps  of  trees  ;  and  dark  lines  of  the  gloomy  cypress  mark 
the  Moslem's  grave.  The  harbor  (with  its  forest  of  shipping) 
is  spanned  by  the  great  bridge  of  boats  which  links  the  "  Old 
City  "  to  the  "  New."  A  mighty  stream  of  life  pours  through 
this  great  thoroughfare  —  representatives  of  many  tongues 
and  tribes,  commingling  costumes,  ancient  and  modern  ;  and 
puffing  steamers  come  and  go,  swelling  or  diminishing  the 
tide,  as  they  empty  their  decks  of  a  motley  crowd,  only  to 
receive  a  fresh  supply.  Above  the  bazaars  and  khans,  the  baths 
and  barracks  of  the  "  Old  City,"  tower  the  swelling  domes 

057) 


158  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


and  numerous  minarets  (tipped  with  the  golden  crescent),  of 
St.  Sophia,  Solyman,  and  Achmet.  On  the  West  is  still  seen 
a  portion  of  the  triple  wall  which  once  surrounded  "  Istam- 
boul."  Trees  have  rooted  themselves  in  its  aged  sides,  and 
a  thick  veil  of  greenest  ivy  vainly  strives  to  hide  the  ghastly 
seams  and  rents  made  by  earthquakes  and  the  savage  shocks 
of  bygone  battles.  On  the  East,  the  old  imperial  palaces 
are  embowered  in  lovely  groves  which  stretch  down  to  the 
sparkling  waters  of  the  Marmora,  dotted  over  with  snowy 
sails  and  sunny  islets ;  and  in  the  far  distance  is  visible  the 
hoary  crest  of  Mt.  Olympus. 

Just  opposite  this  famous  "  Seraglio  Point  " — the  scene  of 
so  many  tragic  events — is  Scutari,  on  the  Asiatic  shore,  a 
city  in  itself  as  large  as  Smyrna,  and  a  favorite  residence  of 
the  Turks.  Long  rows  of  barracks  line  its  steep  shores,  and 
beyond  them  is  the  "  city  of  the  dead  " — where  sleep  so 
many  of  England's  warrior  sons : — And  the  hospital  where 
Florence  Nightingale  performed  her  mission  of  mercy  during 
the  Crimean  War, — 

"  When  the  waifs  of  that  great  strife  and  anguish, 

Like  spars,  borne  on  a  receding  tide, 
Came  back  wounded,  came  back  sick  to  languish 
In  her  shadow — on  the  Asian  side  ; 

"  To  those  walls  where  sick  men  breathing  faintly, 

Heard  an  angel  rustling  in  the  gloom, 
And  a  woman's  presence,  calm  and  saintly, 
Lighted  up  the  melancholy  room." 

Turning  to  the  North-west,  we  trace  the  continuation  of 
the  Golden  Horn, — an  arm  of  the  sea,  curving  away,  horn 
like,  for  six  miles  to  its  termination  in  the  "  Valley  of  Sweet 
Waters." 


CONSTANTINOPLE.  159 


Its  hilly  shores  are  thickly  populated,  and  its  deep  waters 
indeed  resemble  the  "  Cornucopia "  in  the  wealth  which 
commerce  pours  into  its  bosom.  Heretic  immense  hulks  of 
vessels  used  by  the  Turks  in  the  battle  of  Navarino,  in  1827, 
and  more  modern  ships  of  war,  built  for  the  Government 
by  foreign  agency.  Here,  too,  are  to  be  seen  the  Naval- 
school  buildings,  and  the  great  arsenal. 

And  now  our  eyes  turn  to  the  beautiful  Bosphorus  on  the 
North-east,  speeding  its  way,  seventeen  miles  from  the 
Black  Sea  to  the  Marmora.  Pleasant  villages  nestle  among 
its  hills,  and  busy  towns  stretch  along  its  shores;  palaces, 
with  latticed  windows,  charming  villas  and  gardens,  whose 
walls  enclose  all  manner  of  Oriental  delights,  deck  the  water's 
edge, — where  the  pleasure-loving  Turk  languidly  smokes  his 
inevitable  pipe  beneath  the  spreading  branches  of  the  plane, 
the  oak,  the  terebinth,  the  classic  daphne  or  the  lofty 
umbrella  pine,  while  he  watches  the  stately,  white-winged 
ships  moving  majestically  from  sea  to  sea,  the  panting 
steamer,  and  the  graceful  canoe-like  caique,  as  it  swiftly 
glides  between.  Tangled  wild-wood  covers  a  hillside,  here 
and  there,  whose  summit  is  crowned  by  an  imperial  kiosk, 
or  miniature  palace ;  and  ancient  towers  lift  their  dismantled 
heads  on  European  and  Asiatic  shore ;  where  Darius  watched 
his  army  crossing  the  strait.  The  "  Castle  of  Oblivion " 
arrests  the  gaze,  whose  unhappy  inmates  were  doomed  to  a 
swift  and  silent  descent  into  the  watery  depths  which  tell  no 
tales, — and  luxuriant  vineyards  cover  many  a  sunny  slope, 
till  we  reach  "  Giant's  Mountain,"  and  pass  beyond  to  the 
old  forts  which  guard  the  entrance  to  the  Black  Sea. 

All  this  is  Constantinople  : — "  A  compilation  of  cities,  con 
taining  more  than  a  million  of  inhabitants  of  every  European 


l6o  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

and  Asiatic  variety."  "  Beautiful  for  situatipn  ;  "  command 
ing  in  position  ;  the  great  central  city  and  key  of  the  East, 
which,  in  the  hand  of  a  Christian  nation,  would  unlock  the 
treasures  of  the  world's  commerce,  and  bid  them  flow  to  her 
feet  on  the  bosom  of  the  seas  between  which  she  lifts  up  her 
stately  head. 

"  Queen-like,  from  her  terraces  and  gardens, 

She  looks  down  along  the  waters  blue, 
On  those  turrets  twain,  her  ancient  wardens, — 
Guardians  of  the  old  world  and  the  new." 


CHAPTER    V. 

HASSKEUY. 

|HY  sons  shall  come  from  far,  and  thy  daughters 
shall  be  nursed  at  thy  side  :  That  they  might  be 
called  trees  of  righteousness,  the  planting  of  the 
Lord,  that  He  might  be  glorified  :  And  they  shall  build 
the  old  wastes,  they  shall  raise  up  the  former  desolations, 
and  they  shall  repair  waste  cities,  the  desolations  of  many 
generations." 

High  up  the  hillside  of  Hasskeuy — "  noble  village" — on  one 
of  the  stony  streets  that  slope  down  to  the  Golden  Horn, 
stands  a  dingy  old  wooden  house.  The  high  stone  walls 
which  surround  it,  the  great  "  door  of  the  gate,"  with  its 
massive  beam — to  draw  over  the  inner  fastenings  at  night 
(Gaza-like) — and  the  iron  barred  lower  windows,  make  one- 
think  of  the  grim  castle  of  "  Giant  Despair." 

The  grounds  are  narrow,  and  without  shade  trees.  The 
court  in  front  is  small,  and  paved  with  stone.  From  the 
spacious  entrance-hall,  we  wander,  up  stairs  and  down,  but 
soon  become  bewildered  amid  the  many  abrupt  turnings, 
narrow  corridors,  dusky  corners,  closets,  and  suites  of  rooms 
opening  from  huge  halls,  in  what  seems  to  be  two  or  three 
houses  thrown  into  one  ! 

It  is  almost  a  "  Sabbath  day's  journey  "  from  parlor  to 

(161) 


162  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


kitchen !  This  great  laboratory  for  the  wants  of  the  "  inner 
man,"  is  on  the  ground  floor,  opening  upon  a  lower  street. 
It  is  a  dismal  den ;  black  with  the  smoke  of  half-a-century, 
and  dimly  lighted  by  windows  eight  feet  from  the  floor.  The 
only  chimney  in  the  house  occupies  most  of  one  side,  with 
places  for  burning  charcoal,  and  a  great  arch  for  heating 
water, — requiring  wood  for  fuel.  In  the  centre  of  the 
roughly-paved  floor,  is  a  well  of  water ;  and  wooden  troughs 
for  washing  are  ranged  near  by. 

The  capacious  magazines  beneath  the  main  building,  con 
tain  heaps  of  ancient  deposits,  in  "Confusion  worse  con 
founded  !  " — a  variety  of  indescribable  rubbish,  among 
which  we  find  an  old  wine-press,  and  scores  of  narrow- 
necked  earthen. "cupes,"  or  jars,  of  all  sizes,  for  holding 
wheat,  rice,  oil,  wine,  or  water;  undoubtedly  the  very  kind 
used  for  similar  purposes  in  Scripture  times.  The  covers  to 
these  primitive  vessels  were  simply  flat  stones. 

Passing  up  a  flight  of  stairs,  we  come  upon  what  was  once 
a  fine  bath,  with  marble  floor,  and  dressing-room,  now  fallen 
to  decay.  Every  part  of  the  old  building  tells  the  same 
story  of  long-continued  carelessness  and  neglect.  -The 
upper  rooms  are  profusely  decorated  with  gay  frescoes ;  here 
a  painted  Jezebel  looks  out  of  the  upper  window  of  a  mod 
ern  dwelling ;  there  a  chair  stands  forth  conspicuously,  as 
an  object  of  curiosity;  and  gaudy  flowers  figure  largely  on 
the  Russian  canvas  ceiling;  great  chandeliers,  festooned  with 
cobwebs,  and  dim  with  dust,  are  suspended  in  the  wide  halls; 
marble  slabs  support  the  ends  of  the  divans,  and  fill  the  niches 
in  the  walls.*  But  the  original  color  of  the  paint  is  scarcely 

*  Marble  is  freely  used  in  Constantinople,  being  found  in  great 
abundance  on  the  shores  of  the  sea  which  bears  its  name — the  Marmora. 


HASSKEUY.  163 


apparent  on  much  of  the  wood-work,  so  thickly  is  it  encrusted 
with  the  accumulations  of  years.  And  up  and  down  some 
of  the  gaily-painted  walls,  are  dark  lines  of  travel,  revealing 
the  presence  of  the  "  old  inhabitants  of  the  land"  who,  like 
the  Canaanites,  "  will  not  be  driven  out !  "  Around  the 
numerous  rents  in  the  miserable  matting  which  covers  the 
floors,  the  dust  and  dirt  of  many  years  has  thickly  clustered 
and  congealed ;  and  beneath,  are  harbored  an  innumerable 
company  of  living  nuisances,  which  we  denominate  "  F. 
sharps,"  in  contradistinction  from  their  predatory  neigh 
bors, — the  "  B.  flats."*  One  of  the  smaller  corner-rooms, 
on  the  first  floor,  was  evidently  appropriated  as  the  special 
sanctum  of  the  young  men  of  the  former  household.  It  is 
perhaps  twelve  by  sixteen  feet  in  size,  with  six  windows,  and 
a  divan  frame  at  one  side.  The  apartment  is  thoroughly 
impregnated  with  the  fumes  of  tobacco.  The  Turkish 


*  "  F.  sharps,"  fleas;  and  "  B.  flats,"  bed-bugs,  or  "  board-bugs,"  as 
they  are  termed  by  the  people  of  the  East.  We  have  seen  wide 
cracks,  extending  up  and  down  the  sides  of  doors  and  windows  in  a 
Greek  house,  newly  rented  by  a  missionary  at  the  capital,  that  were 
black  with  these  disgusting  creatures.  A  touch  made  one  re 
coil  with  a  shudder  from  the  moving  mass.  These  cracks  were 
painted  over,  but  that  only  destroyed  a  part  of  the  "standing  army." 
And  the  missionary  mother  kept  up  a  skirmish  with  the  assailants, 
night  after  night;  visiting  the  couches  of  her  children  and  "  picking 
off  the  enemy,"  who  had  literally  made  the  faces  of  the  innocent 
sleepers  dark  with  their  presence.  This  is  a  small,  albeit  not  a  very 
dainty,  bit  of  the  real  romance  of  missionary  life.  For  the  benefit  of  those 
who  may  hereafter  suffer  likewise,  it  may  be  well  to  state  that  on  a 
similar  occasion,  when  every  known  remedy  had  been  tried,  in  vain, 
I  hit,  in  my  desperation,  upon  an  expedient  which  proved  effectual, 
viz.,  closing  the  doors  and  windows,  and  burning  brimstone  in  the 
room,  in  an  open  brazier  of  coal,  day  and  night,  for  a  week  at  a  time. 
This  permeated  every  crevice,  and  destroyed  them,  "  root  and 
branch." 


164  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

crescent  and  star  forms  a  part  of  the  centre  -  piece  on 
the  ceiling,  and  a  spread  eagle  appears  at  each  am>;le. 
Over  the  alcove,  at  one  end  of  the  room,  is  a  fresco, 
representing  the  six  sons  of  the  family  kneeling  in  a  row  by 
the  sea-side ;  a  boat  is  waiting  near  by,  but  their  eyes  are 
directed  to  a  swarm  of  bees  overhead,  as  if  reading  the 
Armenian  inscription:  "The  business  of  bees  is  to  make 
honey."  To  crown  the  scene,  a  great  Eye  is  looking  down 
upon  them,  and  a  dove  is  hovering  near;  emblems  of  the 
omniscient  God,  and  the  Holy  Spirit. 

In  another  room,  evil  spirits  seem  to  have  possession,  if 
one  may  judge  from  the  hobgoblins  flying  through  the  air, 
and  the  thunderbolts  aimed  at  a  church  depicted  upon  the 
walls.  There  is  ample  scope  for  the  imagination,  as  one 
wanders  from  room  to  room  of  the  old  house. 

In  its  palmiest  days,  a  retinue  of  twenty  servants  came 
and  went  at  the  bidding  of  its  proud  and  wealthy  Armenian 
master.  Now,  fallen  into  poverty  and  decay,  the  remnant 
of  the  household  are  reluctantly  forced  to  part  with  a  por 
tion  of  their  family  mansion,  that  they  may  secure  the  where 
withal  to  live.  And  the  great  grandmother  and  her  posterity 
occupy  the  other  half  of  the  spacious  dwelling,  entirely 
secluded  from  this,  and  containing  nearly  as  many  apart 
ments. 

After  many  weeks  and  months  of  fruitless  search  for  a 
suitable  building,  of  sufficient  size,  this  house  was  secured 
as  a  home  for  the  Mission  Training-school  for  Armenian 
girls.  But  how  gladly  would  we  exchange  the  great,  ram 
bling,  prison-like  "  palace,"  (as  it  was  once  termed  by  a  trav 
eler  who  had  no  faith  in  missionary  operations),  for  a  plain, 
neat,  convenient,  and  home-like  dwelling !  However,  as 


HASSKEUY.  165 


one  of  the  good  fathers  says,  "Missionaries  must  learn  to 
put  up  with  anything !  "  The  cleansing  process  is  an  oft- 
to-be  repeated,  weary  work  of  years.  The  ragged  matting 
torn  up,  the  dirt  shoveled  and  carried  away  by  great  baskets 
full,  and  plenty  of  water,  soap,  and  sand,  inaugurate  a  new 
dispensation.  As  the  renovation  goes  on,  we  "  thank  the 
goodness  and  the  grace  "  that  gave  us  our  birth  in  a  Christian 
land. 

The  upper  windows  let  in  a  flood  of  glorious  sun-light, 
more  potent  than  wine  to  cheer  the  heart !  The  floors, 
released  from  long  and  ignoble  imprisonment,  look  fresh  and 
bright  as  they  echo  to  our  fearless  tread. 

The  air  is  purer,  and  we  breathe  more  freely  in  this  Eastern 
abode.  Truly,  "  cleanliness  is  next  to  godliness  !  " 

Look  in  upon  the  pleasant  parlor;  snowy  muslin  curtains 
drape  the  many  windows ;  a  few  engravings  adorn  the  walls  ; 
the  broad  divan  is  neatly  covered  with  chintz,  and  a  home- 
carpet  is  on  the  floor.  A  table  in  the  centre,  a  few  chairs,  a 
case  of  books,  and  a  sweet-toned  piano,  the  gift  of  a  beloved 
Christian  friend,*  complete  the  furniture.  One  of  the  largest 
halls,  near  the  entrance  from  the  lower  street,  is  fitted  up 
with  cane  settees,  and  a  plain  pulpit,  to  serve  as  a  temporary 
chapel.  Two  rooms  below  are  reserved  for  day-schools, 
for  boys  and  girls,  and  the  remainder  are  appropriated 
to  the  use  of  the  Boarding-school,  and  those  connected 
with  it. 

The  house  is  now  solemnly  dedicated  to  the  service  of  its 
unseen  Master.  Every  room  is  consecrated,  set  apart,  for 


*  Mrs.  Burgess,  of  Dedham,  Mass.,  who  has  ever  delighted  to 
minister  to  Christ  in  the  person  of  His  faithful  servants  both  at  home 
and  abroad. 


1 66  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


His  indwelling.  The  u  morning  incense  "  and  the  "  even 
ing  sacrifice  "  are  daily  offered  upon  the  altar  for  the  first 
time  erected  within  its  walls : 

"  And  heaven  comes  down  our  souls  to  greet, 
And  glory  crowns  the  mercy-seat." 

Our  missionary  home  is  in  the  midst  of  a  population  of 
10,000  souls,  mostly  Armenians,  among  whom  are  many  of 
the  noble  and  wealthy  of  the  nation. 

A   PARADISE   LOST. 

From  our  upper  windows  we  look  down  upon  the  beauti 
ful  grounds  of  our  nearest  neighbor  across  the  narrow  street. 
The  side  next  us  is  screened  by  a  stone  wall  thirty  feet  high, 
built  to  shut  off  the  view  from  our  landlord's  household,  in 
consequence  of  a  bitter  feud  between  the  two  families,  where 
warm  friendship  once  existed.  The  spacious  and  elegant 
mansion  stands  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  fronting  the  main 
street;  and  the  grounds  are  terraced  to  the  top.  It  is  a 
lovely  place.  The  inner  walls  are  mantled  with  ivy,  or 
creeping  vines,  or  roses  trained  over  them  ;  marble  vases, 
filled  with  gay  flowers,  adorn  the  borders  of  each  terrace, 
and  walks  of  mosaic  are  shaded  by  trim  rows  of  acacia,  while 
here  and  there  we  catch  glimpses  of  statuary  gleaming  amid 
the  richly-tinted  foliage  of  the  shubbery  : — the  glossy  green 
and  vivid  scarlet  of  the  pomegranate  intermingles  with  the 
broad-leaved  fig,  the  silver-lined  olive,  beneath  the  open 
branches  of  the  noble  sycamore,  the  spreading  umbrella-pine, 
and  denser  shade  of  the  plane  and  oak.  An  artistic  summer- 
house  (with  heavy  curtains  fastened  by  rings  to  the  pillars  of 
the  porches,  like  a  pavilion)  occupies  the  centre  of  the  mid- 


HASSKEUV.  167 


die  terrace  of  this  tenantless  Eden,  where  fountains  once  sent 
up  their  silver  spray,  and  a  mimic  lake  was  wont  to  sparkle  in 
the  rays  of  the  sun.  An  orangery,  on  the  upper  terrace,  shows 
the  need  of  artificial  heat  for  tropical  fruits. 

Alas,  for  the  owner  of  this  charming  retreat ! — not  many 
years  ago  esteemed  one  of  the  most  influential  Armenian 
bankers  of  the  metropolis ;  now,  driven  forth  in  disgrace  from 
his  paradise  !  He  was  an  early  friend  of  the  missionaries,  and 
when  their  enemies  had  succeeded  in  closing  many  of  their 
schools,  he  supported  one  of  them  at  his  own  expense.  But 
prosperity  made  him  a  mark  for  the  poisoned  shafts  of  envy, 
malice,  and  greed.  Another  more  princely  palace  was  newly 
built  upon  the  Bosphorus,  and  like  Job,  he  thought  to  "  die 
in  his  nest,"  when  trouble  came.  He  was  thrown  into 
prison  upon  a  false  pretext,  and  after  a  mere  form  of  trial, 
his  vast  possessions  were  confiscated — with  the  exception  of 
this  place — and  he  was  sent  into  exile  to  brood  over  the 
machinations  of  his  enemies,  and  the  miserable  injustice  of 
a  government  whose  highest  law  is  that  of  might. 

Passing  the  deserted  dwelling,  one  day,  we  saw  Govern 
ment  officials  taking  away  numerous  valuables.  Among 
these  were  rare  and  costly  gems,  gathered  from  various 
countries;  a  diamond  worth  $100,000,  an  exquisite  French 
time-piece,  etc.  But  when  one  wished  to  purchase  any  of 
these  rare  articles,  at  the  public  sale,  they  were  always  said 
to  be  "  reserved  for  the  Padishah  " — Sultan  !  Thus  the 
authorities, — notoriously  corrupt,  from  the  highest  to  the 
lowest  grade, — divided  the  spoils  among  themselves,  little 
heeding  the  prophecy — as  true  now  as  of  old — "  their  feet 
shall  slide  in  due  time,"  when  their  turn  to  be  despoiled  will 
come! 


168  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

This  banker  was  afterward  proved  to  be  innocent  of  the 
charges  preferred  against  him,  and  the  sentence  of  exile  was 
revoked;  but  he  chose  to  remain  in  the  Island  of  Malta, 
rather  than  return  to  the  scene  of  his  bitter  and  undeserved 
persecutions.  While  in  prison,  his  wife  sent  for  Dr.  Dwight, 
who  often  visited  him,  and  read  the  Word  of  God  ;  not 
without  hope  that  his  grievous  affliction  would  "  yield  the 
peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness  "  in  this  life,  and  "  work  out  a 
far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory  "  in  the  life 
eternal. 

OUR  NEIGHBORS. 

We  receive  frequent  calls  from  our  Armenian  neighbors. 
Some  of  the  ladies  are  dressed  in  the  richest  of  brocades, 
trailing  upon  the  floor  both  before  and  behind,  the  portion 
falling  in  front,  requiring  to  be  kept,  in  walking,  between  the 
feet,  which  are  awkwardly  turned  in  for  that  purpose,  and 
they  enter  the  room  by  inches  !  This  double  train  is  care 
fully  caught  up  in  the  girdle,  before  going  into  the  street, 
and  the  dress  is  concealed  by  the  ferijee — a  loose,  flowing 
mantle,  of  light,  fine  material.  Our  new  friends  are  very 
polite,  and  graceful  in  manner,  but  their  range  of  thought  is 
exceedingly  limited,  and,  like  children,  they  are  greatly 
influenced  by  externals.  Their  attention  is  at  once  attracted 
by  dress,  manner,  and  surroundings ;  any  gift  or  acquire 
ment  which  adds  beauty  or  grace  to  the  person  or  character, 
and  that  impalpable,  indescribable  something  which  marks 
good  breeding  and  refinement,  is  quickly  perceived  and 
appreciated  by  them. 

There  is  no  "  waste "  of  "  precious  ointment "  in  the 
quality  of  foreign  workers.  Every  talent  finds  full  employ, 


HASSKEUY.  169 


and  even  the  less  important,  help  in  laying  broad  and  sure 
foundations  for  Zion. 

We  return  some  of  these  visits,  selecting  first  the  family 
of  one  of  the  chief  men  of  Hasskeuy. 

A  messenger  is  sent  to  apprise  them  of  our  intention,  and 
word  is  returned  that  we  will  be  welcome.  It  is  a  charm 
ing  evening,  and  the  full-moon  lights  up  our  pathway ;  but, 
nevertheless,  we  must  be  accompanied  by  a  lantern,  or  run 
the  risk  of  a  night's  lodging  in  the  guard-house  !  And  the 
higher  the  rank,  the  bigger  the  lantern. 

The  konak,  or  mansion,  is  surrounded  by  ample  grounds 
protected  by  a  high  wall.  It  is  of  immense  size,  evidently 
built  to  accommodate  a  household  of  several  generations.  We 
are  admitted  through  the  great  outer  door,  and  ushered  into 
the  wide  hall,  by  obsequious  servants,  and  the  master  of  the 
house,  his  brothers  and  eldest  son,  received  us  in  courtly 
style  at  the  head  of  the  grand  staircase.  All  the  surround 
ings  speak  of  Oriental  luxury.  Glittering  chandeliers,  marble 
fountains,  richly  frescoed  walls,  broad  divans,  and  spacious 
door-ways  draped  by  heavy  damask  curtains,  which  are 
drawn  aside  by  attendants  for  our  entrance.  We  seat 
ourselves  upon  the  embroidered  cushions  of  an  inner  apart 
ment,  and  respond  to  the  numerous  salaams  of  our  host  and 
his  family.  Glancing  around  the  room,  we  notice  a  glass 
case  of  stuffed  birds,  a  fine  French  clock,  Persian  rugs,  etc., 
but  no  tables,  chairs,  books,  or  pictures. 

The  older  ladies  of  the  household  now  make  their  appear 
ance,  and  the  customary  salaams  are  profusely  repeated  with 
every  repetition  of  the  health-question ;  the  weather  topic  is 
then  discussed,  and  while  we  are  meditating  what  next  to  say, 
a  few  friends  and  neighbors  of  the  family  join  the  company. 
8 


1 70  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


Sweetmeats,  of  rose-leaves  or  some  other  choice  scented 
conserve,  are  now  brought  in  upon  a  tray,  and  the  mistress 
signals  the  servant  to  convey  it  first  to  the  gentleman  whom 
she  considers  the  chief  of  our  party;  but,  greatly  to  her 
surprise,  he  waives  the  honor  in  favor  of  the  ladies ;  thus 
giving  her  a  specimen  of  the  courtesy  with  which  woman  is 
treated  in  Christian  countries. 

As  each  guest  partakes  of  the  customary  teaspoonful,  fol 
lowed  by  a  sip  of  water,  a  salaam  circles  around  the  room,  as 
one  and  another  catches  his  eye,  and  says,  "  May  it  be  sweet  to 
you  !  "  and  he  returns  the  graceful  salutation — extending  the 
right  hand,  with  a  bow  toward  the  person  addressed,  and 
then  bringing  it  back  toward  his  lips,  thence  to  the  forehead, 
whence  he  lets  it  fall.  The  higher  the  rank,  and  the  greater 
the  honor  one  wishes  to  show  to  an  individual,  the  lower 
must  be  the  salaam. 

Worship  is  a  compound  word  in  the  Armenian  language — 
yergerbakooteun  —  ground-kissing:  meaning  to  reverence, 
humble,  or  prostrate  oneself  in  the  presence  of  a  superior. 
In  this  sense  it  is  frequently  used  in  the  New  Testament. 
And  when  Abraham  "bowed  himself  toward  the  ground," 
to  greet  his  angel  visitants,  he  probably  made  a  profound 
salaam.  This  graceful  salutation  is  often  used  in  the  East 
where  we  would  simply  say,  thank  you ;  and  it  is  extremely 
convenient  when  a  passing  compliment  is  paid,  and  one  is  at 
a  loss  for  a  quick  and  appropriate  response. 

Coffee,  in  tiny  cups,  each  held  by  a  silver  "  zarf,"  now  makes 
its  appearance.  It  is  black,  strong,  and  smoking  hot,  without 
milk  or  sugar,  and  with  the  fine  flour-like  grounds — floating 
on  the  top,  considered  the  cream.  Chibouks  are  next 
brought  for  the  gentlemen  ;  a  servant  lights  each  pipe,  places 


HASSKEUY.  171 


the  bowl  in  a  little  bronze  plate  upon  the  floor,  and  hands 
the  amber  mouth-piece  to  the  "  Agha."  This  is  the  signal  for 
a  more  general  conversation.  And  those  who  do  not  smoke, 
finger  their  "  conversation-beads "  very  much  as  a  Papist 
does  his  rosary. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  the  various  groups  scattered  about 
the  room,  and  the  different  languages  represented.  Several 
of  our  party  are  fresh  arrivals  from  America,  and  cannot 
speak  in  "  unknown  tongues ;  "  but  one  is  brushing  up  his 
Greek,  and  another  finds  in  French  a  medium  of  commu 
nication  with  these  polished  Armenian  gentlemen,  one  or 
two  of  whom  can  speak  a  little  English,  but  are  much  more 
familiar  with  Italian,  or  even  Russian ;  Turkish  and  Arme 
nian  predominate,  and  attract  the  larger  number  to  the 
corner,  where  a  lively  discussion  is  in  progress,  concerning 
the  vital  doctrines  of  a  pure  Christianity. 

Sitting  near  the  "  bride," — the  wife  of  the  eldest  son, — a  fair 
specimen  of  Oriental  beauty,  richly  dressed  and  adorned 
with  jewels,  I  try  my  powers  of  speech  in  an  endeavor  to 
make  the  visit  profitable.  It  seems  almost  insulting  to  ask 
the  lady  if  she  can  read,  and  my  face  burns  with  instinctive 
blushes,  as  I  put  the  simple  query ;  but  not  a  shadow  passes 
over  her  countenance.  Instead,  she  manifests  surprise  that 
one  should  think  of  such  a  thing.  "  How  should  she  know  ? 
why  should  she  know  how  to  read?  "  And  she  shrugs  her  fat 
shoulders  with  supreme  indifference.  But  by-and-by,  the 
avenue  to  her  heart  is  found.  She  takes  us  to  the  nursery 
to  show  her  sleeping  beauties ;  and  her  hitherto  passive, 
soulless  face,  lights  up  with  interest  as  we  compare  the  cus 
toms  of  our  respective  countries.  The  babe  in  the  cradle  is 
so  bound  up  in  "  swaddling  clothes,"  that  it  looks  like  a 


172  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

little  mummy!  The  mother  places  it  in  our  arms;  its  body 
is  as  unyielding  as  a  stick  of  wood.  But  she  assures  us  that 
the  child  will  not  be  quiet  unless  swathed  in  this  way  ;  that 
the  free  use  of  its  arms  would  make  it  restless,  and  that  there 
is  less  danger  in  handling  an  infant  when  it  is  thus  bound 
up.  It  seems  cruel,  but  the  children  somehow  thrive,  even 
when  kept  for  months  in  the  cradle  without  a  daily  ablution. 

Armenian  children  are  taken  to  the  church  and  baptized 
soon  after  birth ;  and  a  custom  prevails  in  some  portions  of 
the  land,  of  cutting  a  slight  gash  in  the  back,  and  when  the 
blood  flows,  applying  a  little  salt,  to  which  allusion  is  made 
in  Ezekiel  xvi.  4. 

Conversation  among  the  ladies  becomes  more  animated  and 
unrestrained  after  this  little  episode.  They  are  curious  to 
know  about  my  coming  to  Turkey;  why  I  came  alone,  etc., 
etc.,  and  cannot  imagine  how  a  mother  could  part  with  her 
daughter  to  go  so  far  away.  This  is  a  good  text  for  a  little 
sermon  suited  to  their  comprehension.  So  I  "  catch  them 
with  guile,"  by  telling  the  story  of  that  mother's  life,  and  of 
a  Love  greater  than  that  of  father  or  mother,  son  or  daughter. 
They  listen  ;  it  is  all  new  and  strange  ;  but  they  know . 
something  of  a  mother's  heart,  and  "  a  touch  of  nature  makes 
us  all  akin." 

Perhaps  the  little  seed  may  lodge  in  some  hidden  cleft, 
and  one  day  spring  up  to  life. 

And  now  we  motion  to  depart;  but  our  hostess,  clapping 
her  plump  hands,  summons  a  servant,  and  sherbet  is  served ; 
soon  after  we  withdraw,  amid  a  general  interchange  of  bows 
and  salaams. 


HASSKEUY.  173 


THE  HOMES  OF   THE  PROTESTANTS. 

Calling  upon  some  of  the  members  of  the  Protestant 
Church  and  community,  we  find  ourselves  among  the  mid 
dle  and  "  working  classes  "  of  society.  In  each  dwelling  there 
is  a  row  of  shoes  at  the  foot  of  the  staircase,  varying  in  size 
from  the  head  of  the  house,  down  to  a  three-year-old.  In 
compliance  with  this  cleanly  custom,  which  prevents  the  dust 
and  dirt  of  the  streets  from  being  carried  in  and  left  upon 
the  carpets  and  cushions,  we  leave  our  over-shoes  at  the 
lower  door.  A  warm  welcome  awaits  our  arrival,  and  the 
children  greet  us  in  a  very  peculiar  and  polite  way ;  taking 
the  right  hand  of  the  visitor,  they  convey  it  near  their  lips, 
and  then,  bowing,  to  their  forehead.  In  this  deferential  way, 
the  younger  women  salute  those  of  both  sexes  who  are 
greatly  their  superior  in  rank,  especially  if  advanced  in 
years. 

We  are  struck  with  the  whiteness  of  the  uncarpeted  floors 
in  many  of  these  houses.  In  all,  there  is  the  same  damask, 
or  chintz-covered  divan,  a  family  chest,  upon  which  a  Bible 
and  hymn-book  are  lying,  with  perhaps  a  few  kindred  vol 
umes  and  tracts,  recently  introduced  to  these  homes. 

The  numerous  windows  are  curtained  with  white  muslin, 
suspended  by  rings,  so  that  they  may  be  drawn  entirely 
aside,  and  the  casement  thrown  wide  open.  Occasionally  a 
pile  of  bedding  is  seen  in  one  corner,  but  it  is  usually  stowed 
away  in  closets  during  the  day,  for  family  use,  upon  the 
floor,  at  night  —  the  common  practice  among  all  classes 
throughout  the  East.  Many  of  the  children  appear  to  be 
afflicted  by  a  disfiguring  eruption  upon  the  face  and  hands ; 
but  it  is  owing  to  nightly  attacks  from  the  4<  aborigines  " — wit- 


1/4  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


tily  styled  by  some  traveler  in  the  old  countries — "  The  pes 
tilence  that  walketh  in  darkness  !  " 

Coffee  and  sweetmeats  are  served  at  every  house.  None 
are  so  poor  that  they  cannot  treat  their  visitors,  according 
to  their  ideas  of  hospitality.  But  the  frequent  repetition 
becomes  a  trial,  especially  when  we  find  that  our  friends  are 
hurt  if  we  decline  the  honor. 

The  pleasantest  part  of  each  interview  is  the  Bible-read 
ing  and  prayer,  when  all  the  members  of  the  household  are 
quietly  gathered  in  the  family-room. 

We  are  continually  learning  something  new  concerning 
the  customs  and  manners  of  the  people  by  this  actual  con 
tact  with  family  life.  Sitting  by  the  side  of  a  fresh,  rosy 
"  bride,"  on  one  of  these  visits,  I  exert  my  conversational 
powers  in  trying  to  draw  her  out ;  but  she  merely  smiles 
and  nods  a  response  to  my  remarks  and  questions.  At  last 
the  position  becomes  embarrassing.  Seeing  this,  an  old 
Armenian,  who  has  been  quietly  watching  us,  says  :  "  Don't 
you  know  why  she  can't  talk?  There  sits  her  mother-in- 
law,  and,  according  to  our  custom,  she  cannot  speak  in  her 
presence."  "How  long  does  this  restriction  last?"  I  in 
quire.  "  O,  for  a  long  time,  till  the  mother-in-law  gives 
permission  to  speak."  "  How  long  have  you  known  it  to 
last  ?  "  "  For  many  years ;  sometimes  as  long  as  forty 
years."  "  Why,  I  should  think  that  one  or  both  would 
die  in  that  time."  "  Yes  ;  sometimes  it  happens  that 
one  of  them  dies  in  the  time."  "  But  what  was  the  origin 
of  so  strange  a  custom  ?  "  I  continued.  To  this  question 
there  was  no  answer  but  a  shrug  of  the  shoulder,  which 
denoted  ignorance  and  indifference  as  to  that  point.  "  Ah  ! 
I  know,"  I  exclaimed,  after  a  moment's  thought.  "The 


HASSKEUY.  175 


tongue  has  ever  been  deemed  woman's  weapon  ;  and  so,  to 
keep  the  peace  in  such  large  and  mixed  households,  you 
have  given  the  mother-in-law  the  monopoly  of  the  dangerous 
member."  Whereupon  he  laughed  heartily,  and  nodded 
assent. 

The  weather  changes  from  summer  warmth  to  a  damp, 
wintry  chillness.  A  stove-pipe,  peering  from  a  window, 
and  run  up  high  above  the  roof,  is  the  sign  of  "  Frank  " 
civilization,  wherever  foreign  residents  may  find  a  home 
in  Constantinople;  and  it  is  well  if  passers-by  escape 
the  dripping  acid  which  leaves  its  unsightly  and  indelible 
stains  upon  walls  and  pavement  beneath.  But  our  neigh 
bors  are  hovering  around  braziers  of  coal,  as  in  winter, 
when  they  generally  retreat  to  a  low,  small  room,  with 
southern  exposure,  and  wrap  themselves  in  long,  fur-lined 
robes,  which  more  effectually  supply  the  lack  of  animal 
heat.  These  garments  may  be  seen  at  all  seasons  in  the 
streets  of  Stamboul.  Wealthy  Orientals  provide  a  goodly 
number  for  their  wardrobe,  varying  in  lightness  and  fine 
ness  of  texture,  for  every  change  of  temperature.  But 
there  is  a  class  of  vagrants  in  the  East  so  low  and  de 
graded,  that  they  never  change  their  clothing,  day  or  night, 
year  in  and  year  out,  till  it  fairly  rots  upon  the  person ! 
And  yet,  for  a  mere  trifle,  the  poorest  can  obtain  a  thorough 
ablution  at  the  public  baths,  with  a  steaming  and  soaking 
sufficient,  one  would  think,  to  cleanse  and  wash  away,  at 
least,  a  portion  of  the  "  old  Adam  !" 

When  Orientals  give  themselves  to  bodily  cleansing,  they 
make  a  business  of  it.  Women  take  their  "  boghjas,"  or  bun 
dles,  and  children,  if  they  have  any,  of  both  sexes  and  various 
ages,  and  spend  the  entire  day  at  the  bath,  which,  is  the 


176  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

place  for  gossiping,  match-making,  hair-cutting,  bleeding, 
etc.,  etc.  But  who  can  describe  the  sights  and  sounds  of 
that  Pandemonium  ? 

STORMS   AND    TEMPESTS. 

Autumnal  storms  are  upon  us.  Terrific  gales  of  wind 
sweep  down  from  the  Balkan  Mountains,  or  the  Black  Sea, 
and  shake  our  old  house  to  its  very  foundations.  Howling, 
like  so  many  demons  let  loose,  they  join  their  forces  to  the 
other  elements,  till  night  is  made  hideous.  Stove-pipes  are 
tumbling,  doors  and  windows  flying  open,  heavy  shutters 
broken  loose  and  slamming,  amid  a  universal  creaking  and 
groaning,  as  if  every  inanimate  object  were  suddenly  indued 
with  life.  An  old  wall  gives  way,  and  the  plastering  comes 
rattling  about  the  heads  of  a  part  of  our  frightened  flock, 
who,  imagining  that  the  end  of  all  things  is  near  at  hand,  fly 
upstairs,  to  seek  refuge  with  the  Varzhoohi.  In  another 
room  the  windows,  fastened  only  by  a  slight  wooden  button 
in  the  centre,  suddenly  blow  open ;  a  large  mirror  (left 
by  the  landlord)  is  hurled  from  its  place,  and  a  thousand 
fragments  are  scattered  in  every  direction  among  the 
sleeping  girls,  who  come  screaming  down  stairs  !  And  now 
a  fearful  cry  pierces  through  the  tumult  of  the  midnight 
tempest — "YA.NGUN  VAR  !  "  —Fire  there  is!  "It  maybe 
near;  possibly  it  is  our  own  dwelling,"  is  the  first  startling 
thought.  Rushing  to  the  window,  and  drawing  aside  the 
curtain,  the  sky,  lighted  by  a  lurid  glow,  shows  the  quar 
ter  where  the  flames  are  raging,  while  that  awful  cry,  like  a 
long-drawn-out  agony,  continually  rings  forth  its  alarm,  to 
be  caught  up  and  re-echoed  all  along  the  shores  of  the 
Golden  Morn  and  the  Bosphorus,  by  watchmen  stationed  at 
every  point. 


HASSKEUY. 


A  heavy,  soaking  rain  sets  in,  and  the  scene  changes. 
The  old  house  is  in  a  mournful,  one  might  almost  say 
tearful,  condition,  for  the  dripping  that  ensues  (from  broken 
tiles  of  the  roof)  defies  description.  Tubs,  buckets,  pans, 
and  pails,  in  fact  anything  and  everything  in  the  con 
cave  line,  is  speedily  brought  into  requisition,  and  for  a 
few  days  we  are  enveloped  in  a  vapor  bath.  The  roof  over 
the  chapel-room  is  like  a  sieve,  and  the  rain  patters  upon  the 
sheet-iron  stove,  a  ridiculous  accompaniment  to  the  preach 
er's  discourse,  while  his  head  is  bedewed  with  literal  "  drop 
pings  of  the  sanctuary,"  more  sensible  than  spiritual !  and 
every  now  and  then,  some  one  in  the  audience  changes 
his  seat,  to  avoid  a  sprinkling.  But  our  landlord  cares  for 
none  of  these  things,  and  cannot  be  induced  to  make  the 
repairs  included  in  the  contract.  We  are  wholly  at  his 
mercy,  and  left  to  rotate  after  the  same  fashion  till  the  end 
of  the  chapter ! 

While  the  wind  continues  its  carnival,  each  separate 
pane  of  (unputtied)  glass  in  the  many  windows,  flutters 
with  every  gust,  and  carpets  rise  and  fall  in  billowy  waves 
over  the  wide  crevices  in  the  floors.  But  by  -  and  -  by 
— it  may  be,  after  a  week  or  two — the  storm  is  spent,  and 
sobs  itself  to  sleep  like  a  naughty  child.  The  sun  shines 
the  more  gloriously  for  this  brief  interregnum,  and  we  re 
member  our  little  discomforts  and  annoyances  "  as  a  dream 
when  one  awaketh." 

As  the  years  go  on,  these  night-terrors  are  varied,  at  long 
intervals,  by  shocks  of  earthquake,  not  very  severe,  but 
sufficient  to  make  one  realize  his  helplessness  in  the  hands 
of  Him  who  "  looketh  upon  the  earth,  and  it  trembleth." 

The  formidable  bolts  and  bars  for  protecting  the  school 
's* 


1/8  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


building  serve  rather  to  inspire  than  lessen  timidity,  by  sug 
gesting  the  stern  necessity  in  this  lawless  land,  where,  during 
and  after  the  Crimean  War,  houses  were  entered,  in  the 
immediate  vicinity,  and  the  unfortunate  inmates,  in  striving 
to  protect  themselves,  were  horribly  mutilated,  their  noses 
and  ears  cut  off;  and  on  one  occasion  a  man  was  found  lying 
in  the  street  with  his  head  severed  from  the  body  !  These 
things,  with  many  a  little,  nameless,  scarcely-confessed  fear, 
add  to  the  unconscious,  yet  continual,  strain  upon  the  nerv 
ous  energy  of  a  missionary  teacher,  however  brave,  who  as 
sumes  the  care  and  responsibility  of  a  large  household  in  a 
foreign  capital,  and  labors  in  a  language  and  among  a  people 
not  her  own. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

THE  TRAINING-SCHOOL. 

I|HAT  our  daughters  may  be  as  corner-stones,  pol 
ished  after  the  similitude  of  a  palace." 

A  new  term  has  commenced.  Some  of  our 
pupils  are  prompt  in  returning  at  the  appointed  time,  and 
others  linger,  true  to  the  Eastern  custom  of  never  doing  to 
day  that  which  can  be  deferred  till  to-morrow  !  We  fear  that 
it  will  require  another  generation  before  Anglo-Saxon  ideas 
of  the  value  of  time  are  fully  implanted. 

Among  the  new-comers,  is  an  attractive  girl  of  fifteen 
years,  brought  by  a  missionary  from  an  interior  town.  As 
we  look  upon  her  fair,  blushing  face,  and  gentle  eyes,  gleam 
ing  through  the  transparent  yashmac,  or  Turkish  veil,  we 
wish  that  he  had  brought  us  a  dozen  such  candidates !  Her 
plump,  rounded  figure,  of  medium  height,  is  enveloped  in  a 
street-mantle  of  delicate  blue;  and  as  she  timidly  divests 
herself  of  these  outer  wrappings,  we  notice  that,  unlike 
most  of  our  new  pupils,  she  has  retained  her  native  cos 
tume, — the  full  drawers,  tunic,  and  girdle.  The  tapering 
fingers  and  the  whiteness  of  her  dimpled  hands,  betoken 
immunity  from  toil ;  and  her  manner  indicates  the  "  gentle 
woman."  But  Eva  can  neither  read  nor  speak  Armenian. 
Turkish  is  the  language  of  the  community  among  whom  she 


I  SO  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

has  lived,  and  she  has  grown  up  in  ignorance  of  her  mother- 
tongue.  She  takes  her  seat  in  the  school-room  for  the  first 
time,  on  the  "  day  of  prayer  "  usually  observed  at  the  open 
ing  of  a  school  term.  The  exercises  are  conducted  in  a 
language  that  she  cannot  understand  ;  but  something  in  the 
atmosphere  of  the  place  impresses  her  mind ;  she  listens  to 
the  voice  of  prayer  and  praise,  sees  the  solemnity  visible  on 
every  countenance,  and  awakens  to  a  consciousness  of  her 
sinfulness  in  the  sight  of  God.  It  is  purely  the  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  As  the  days  go  by,  her  distress  deepens.  We 
meet  her  here  and  there  about  the  house,  drop  a  word  of 
comfort,  and  try  to  penetrate  the  seclusion  of  her  solitary 
soul.  The  big  tears  fall  upon  the  floor  at  her  feet,  as  she 
listens  to  our  poor  utterances — in  the  attempt  to  show  her 
that  "  Jesus  paid  it  all ;  "  and  that  weary  weeks  and  months 
of  soul-penance  are  not  required  to  find  acceptance  with 
God.  Then,  with  a  grateful,  yet  hopeless,  look,  she  turns 
away,  and  we  leave  her  case  with  Him  who  knows  alike  all 
hearts  and  all  languages,  confident  that  He  will  perfect  the 
work  which  He  has  begun. 

"  Oh,  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  Him  !  "  is  the  cry 
of  other  hearts.  One  of  our  most  promising  and  amiable 
pupils  returned  with  a  burdened  soul  from  her  home  in  Pera. 
Her  mental  distress,  in  view  of  her  sins,  was  often  so  great 
during  the  summer  vacation,  that  she  could  neither  eat  nor 
sleep.  This  greatly  disturbed  her  parents,  who,  though 
Protestants,  knew  nothing  of  a  change  of  heart;  they  assured 
her  that  she  never  had  been  guilty  of  any  great  sins ;  that 
God  was  merciful,  etc.  IJut  their  arguments  had  no  power 
to  comfort  her  after  a  revelation  of  her  inner-self  in  the 
light  of  God.  "  The  thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart ;" — • 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  l8l 

wrong  feelings,  motives,  impulses — finding  their  root  in 
supreme,  though  perhaps  hidden  selfishness,  and  their  fruit 
in  manifestations  of  pride,  anger,  ambition,  envy,  and  other 
evil  passions.  Ah  !  what  a  long  black  catalogue  it  seemed 
beneath  the  searching  eye  of  Infinite  Holiness!  "The  ar 
rows  of  the  Almighty  (were)  within  " — "  piercing  even  to 
the  dividing  asunder  of  soul  and  spirit;"  and  like  David, 
she  cried  out,  "  Mine  iniquities  have  gone  over  my  head  ; 
as  an  heavy  burden  they  are  too  heavy  for  me !  "  Blessed 
wounding  of  the  Heavenly  Archer  !  "  He  hath  smitten,  and 
He  will  bind  up." 

THE  "LIVING  SPIRIT  WITHIN  THE  WHEELS." 
Weeks  pass  away ;  the  house  has  become  a  Bethel.  From 
early  morning  till  the  "  retiring  bell  "  at  night,  the  low  voice 
of  earnest  prayer  may  be  heard ;  for  all  those  dusky  corners 
and  out-of-the-way  nooks,  which  seemed  worse  than  useless 
at  our  first  survey,  the  very  holes  where  wicked  prowlers 
might  secrete  themselves  for  midnight  raids,  are  now  turned 
into  trysting-places  with  the  King  of  kings. 

Meanwhile,  the  school  goes  on  as  usual.  But  a  new  spirit 
pervades  the  daily  routine ;  voices  are  more  subdued;  les 
sons  more  conscientiously  prepared ;  and  the  domestic  work 
performed  with  new  zest  and  thoroughness ;  every  trace  of 
friction  is  removed,  and  the  entire  machinery  moves  in 
silence  and  harmony,  as  if  sharing  in  the  heavenly  unction ; 
order,  neatness,  and  quiet  reign  throughout  the  dwelling, 
and  all  "walk  softly  before  the  Lord." 

"  It  seems  like  entering  another  kingdom,  to  ccme  into 
this  house,"  says  our  beloved  missionary  father,  Dr.  Good- 
ell,  who  frequently  closes  our  afternoon  session  with  a  Bible- 


182  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


reading  and  prayer  in  Turkish.  Never  were  the  hearts  of 
teachers  and  pupils  so  drawn  and  knit  together  in  love  as 
now,  when  one  and  another  comes  to  tell  the  story  of  a 
Savior  found,  and  sins  forgiven. 

Eva  has  found  Him  whom  her  soul  loveth.  One  look  at 
her  radiant  countenance  is  enough  to  satisfy  any  one  who 
had  seen  her  head  "  bowed  down  like  a  bulrush  "  for  weeks 
past.  Like  her  of  old,  she  stood  without  at  the  sepulchre, 
weeping,  when  Jesus  called  her  by  name,  and  her  darkness 
was  turned  to  day.  Henceforth,  her  course  is  as  "  the  dawn 
ing  light,  which  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day." 
And  of  others  it  may  be  said,  "  This  one  and  that  one  were 
born  in  this  house." 

What  transformations  we  are  permitted  to  witness  !  Faces 
once  dull  and  ordinary,  seem  "  transfigured  "  by  the  indwell 
ing  light  and  life !  The  change  is  noticed  even  by  those 
who  have  no  conception  of  the  cause.  "  What  have  you 
done  to  my  child  ?  "  cried  an  Armenian  mother  who  saw  with 
wonder  the  brightness  beaming  in  her  daughter's  face.  "  I 
will  kiss  your  feet !  " 

One  dear  girl  brings  her  writing-book  to  the  desk  for  a 
copy,  asking  if  she  may  furnish  the  words ;  and  when  per 
mission  is  given,  softly  repeats,  "My  beloved  is  mine,  and 
I  am  His."  The  tears  start  to  my  eyes  as  I  look  upon  the 
ne\v  beauty  of  this  bride  of  Christ;  and  the  prayer  of  the 
prophet  rises  to  my  lips :  "  O,  thou,  the  hope  of  Israel,  the 
Savior  thereof  in  times  of  trouble,  be  not  as  a  wayfaring  man 
that  abideth  but  for  a  night,  but  tarry  with  us!  "  Another 
of  these  young  converts  assists  in  the  care  of  my  room  ;  and 
little  surprises,  little  tokens  of  a  new  love,  are  not  infrequent 
on  her  part ;  a  vase  of  fresh  flowers,  a  cluster  of  grapes,  or  a 


THE  TRAINING-SCHOOL.  183 

basket  of  nuts  and  apples,  from  home,  and  a  newly-scrubbed 
and  sanded  floor,  as  white  as  loving  hands  can  make  it, 
while  the  old  defiantly  black  door-knobs  glisten  with  brassy 
brightness  from  oft-repeated  rubbings,  to  greet  me  on  my 
return  from  some  half-holiday.  And  all  is  so  modestly  done, 
with  such  a  nice  sense  of  propriety,  and  instinctive  shrinking 
from  display,  that  no  other  illustration  is  needed  of  the  refin 
ing,  elevating  power  of  the  religion  of  Christ.  Some  of  these 
girls  were  almost  as  wild  as  "young  colts  of  the  desert," 
when  first  placed  under  instruction.  Surely,  none  but  the 
Hand  Divine  could  soften  the  harsh  discords  of  their  untu 
tored  natures,  and  produce  such  sweet  and  delicate  harmony. 
A  slight  illness  keeps  me  in  my  room  for  a  day  or  two,  and 
Ester  seems  to  consider  it  her  special  province  to  minister 
to  all  my  wants.  Lingering  at  the  door,  one  evening,  she 
says,  "  I  am  pained  that  you  are  alone."  And  when  I 
answer  that  Christ  is  ever  present,  replies,  "  I  know ;  but  if 
you  were  in  America,  your  mother  and  sister'  would  be  with 
you.  It  is  very  hard  to  be  alone !  "  and  casting  a  wistful 
look  upon  me,  as  if  she  would  fain  supply  their  place,  she 
gently  passes  out.  This  thoughtful  love  and  care  for  their 
teacher  is  very  marked  in  some  of  our  pupils,  and  a  source 
of  heartfelt  joy,  for  it  was  not  always  so  from  the  beginning ; 
and  much  anxiety  has  been  awakened  among  those  who 
have  shared  in  the  training  of  these  Armenian  girls,  lest 
they  should  consider  themselves  a  privileged  class,  and 
claim  as  a  right,  that  which  was  bestowed  as  a  favor — a  not 
uncommon  phase  of  human  nature  in  mission  work  at  home, 
as  well  as  abroad.  As  month  succeeds  month,  the  work 
of  grace  deepens  in  our  midst.  From  the  close  of  school, 
till  the  "  retiring  hour  "  of  each  day,  there  is  a  succession  of 


1 84  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

gentle  taps  at  the  door  of  my  room,  as  one  and  another 
seeks  for  guidance  in  the  way  of  life.  Blessed  days ! 
yet  freighted  with  a  weight  of  responsibility  too  heavy  for 
human  strength.  After  a  week  of  more  than  usual  interest, 
I  am  too  much  exhausted  to  converse  with  all  who  wish  the 
privilege  on  the  Lord's  day  ;  and  when  our  usual  Sunday 
evening  exercise  is  ended,  propose  that  all  who  have  a  hope 
in  Christ,  should  retire  to  another  room,  and  pray  for  their 
companions.  One  after  another  rises,  and  silently  passes 
out,  till  only  those  are  left  who  are  "without  hope."  For  a 
few  moments,  the  solemn  silence  remains  unbroken,  save  by 
the  measured  ticking  of  the  clock.  Every  head  is  bowed, 
and  every  face  bathed  in  tears. 

As  one  of  the  girls  afterwards  remarked,  "  It  seemed  like 
the  separation  at  the  day  of  judgment."  At  the  close  of 
school,  one  afternoon,  the  hymn,  "  Hearts  of  stone,  relent, 
relent,"  is  given  out  by  Dr.  Goodell.  It  is  too  much  for 
their  tender,  susceptible  state  of  feeling;  and  soon  head  after 
head  is  bowed,  and  trembling  tones  are  lost  amid  smothered 
sobs,  while  Dr.  GoodeU  and  I  are  left  to  sing  it  alone,  with 
quivering  voices.  Undoubtedly  such  general  manifestations 
of  feeling  are  in  some  degree  owing  to  sympathy,  the  moral 
magnetism  produced  by  such  close  and  continued  contact, 
and  the  prominence  given  to  spiritual  teaching;  but  the 
presence  and  power  of  a  Greater  than  man,  is  too  manifest 
to  be  disputed.  Not  one  heart  remains  unaffected;  a  holy, 
subduing  atmosphere  r.nd  influence  is  so  all-pervading  as  to 
inspire  the  conviction,  "  Surely,  the  Lord  is  in  this  place : 
this  is  none  otlur  biu  the  house  of  God."  There  is  no 
visible  excitement,  but  the  "  still,  small  voice  "  is  speaking, 
and  like  Elijah,  we  cover  our  faces,  and  listen  in  silence.  The 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL. 


perfect  stillness  which  reigns  in  every  room  at  the  morning 
and  evening  "  half-hour  for  prayer,"  is  very  solemnizing  ; 
and  the  faithfulness  with  which  every  duty  is  performed  by 
each  member  of  the  household,  bears  unmistakable  testimo 
ny  to  the  "  living  spirit  within  the  wheels  "  of  our  establish 
ment.  "  Not  unto  us,  O  Lord,  not  unto  us,  but  unto  Thy 
name  give  glory." 

THE  HOLIDAYS, 

The  Christmas  holidays  are  at  hand  ;  but  when  the  ap 
proaching  "  short  vacation  "  is  announced  to  the  school,  at 
the  close  of  the  evening  "  study-hour,"  it  is  received  with 
silent  assent,  instead  of  the  usual  outburst  of  gladness.  Two 
or  three  of  the  girls  burst  into  tears  at  the  thought  of  leaving, 
and  all  gather  around  my  desk  to  ask  that  it  may  be  deferred 
or  entirely  dispensed  with. 

One  says,  "  You  do  not  know,  Varzhoohi,  how  difficult  it  is 
for  us  to  do  right  when  we  go  home  !  "  Another  adds,  "  We 
have  no  place  for  prayer,  nor  time  to  spend  in  reading  or 
meditation.  Our  friends  tell  us  we  have  enough  of  that  at 
school,  and  will  give  us  no  peace  unless  we  spend  our  time 
as  they  do." 

When  I  leave  the  school-room,  some  of  the  older,  pious 
girls  follow,  to  plead  for  those  whose  minds  seem  deeply 
impressed  with  divine  truth. 

They  fear  that  if  they  leave,  at  this  time,  all  these  impres 
sions  will  be  dissipated,  and  their  hearts  hardened.  My 
heart  is  touched  by  the  tender  appeal,  and  this  new  proof 
of  love  and  interest  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  their  com 
panions.  I  well  know  that  peculiar  trials  and  temptations 
beset  most  of  our  pupils  during  this  festive  season,  which  is 
observed  with  great  ceremony  and  rejoicings  among  the 


1 86  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

Armenians.  And  every  vacation  is  a  time  of  great  anxiety 
on  their  behalf;  for  many  of  our  pupils,  whose  homes  are  far 
away,  are  then  placed  with  Armenian  families,  selected  by 
their  friends,  or  by  the  missionaries,  and  we  send  them  forth 
"  as  lambs,  among  wolves,"  not  knowing  what  influences  may 
subvert  our  teachings,  and  lead  them  astray.  But  if  they  re 
main,  we  must  stay  with,  and  care  for  them,  when  a  change 
and  rest  is  imperatively  needed  to  prepare  us  for  another 
term  of  school  and  housekeeping  duties;  for  "we  have  this 
treasure  in  earthen  vessels,  that  the  excellency  of  the  power 
may  be  of  God,  and  not  of  us."  So  I  tell  the  dear  pleaders 
that  we  must  do  all  in  our  power  for  them,  during  the  week 
or  two  that  remains,  and,  in  faith,  commit  these  tender,  help 
less  lambs  to  the  care  of  the  Great  Shepherd,  who  has  said, 
"  None  shall  pluck  them  out  of  my  hands." 

It  is  often  extremely  difficult  to  reach  the  inner  life  of 
some  of  these  girls,  and  secure  a  full  and  unreserved  ex 
pression  of  their  thoughts  and  feelings.  They  listen  atten 
tively,  sometimes  tearfully,  but  are  perfectly  reticent  when 
an  attempt  is  made  to  draw  them  out.  After  repeated  and 
futile  efforts  to  secure  an  expression  from  one  who  had  long 
appeared  serious,  and  had  frequently  sought  my  room  for 
prayer  and  counsel,  the  ice  is  at  last  broken,  and  with  a  great 
effort  she  tells  me  how  anxious  she  has  been  lest  her  soul 
should  be  lost ;  that  often,  when  with  the  other  girls,  during 
hours  of  recreation,  she  had  seen  my  eye  resting  upon  her, 
and  had  said  to  herself,  "  She  thinks  me  thoughtless,  but  it 
is  not  so."  We  bow  in  prayer,  and  when  we  arise  from  our 
knees,  Badaskhan  throws  her  arms  around  my  neck,  and 
exclaims,  "  O,  pray  for  me  always  !  "  The  next  day  I  receive 
the  following  note  from  her : 


THE  TRAINING-SCHOOL. 


"  MY  DEAR  TEACHER  :  I  will  now  relate  to  you  in  what 
condition  I  am;  and  because  I  cannot  with  the  mouth  make 
known  my  heart,  therefore,  with  a  letter  I  cause  you  to 
understand.  I  think  you  will  be  glad. 

"  Yesterday  evening,  when  you  prayed  with  me,  I  felt  in 
my  heart  that  my  God  and  my  Savior  heard  my  prayer  and 
gave  answer.  And  to-day,  when  you  said,  '  If  you  have  not 
found  Him,  it  is  your  fault,'  instantly  I  would  have  opened 
my  heart,  but  I  had  not  courage  to  speak.  I  will  say,  like 
David,  that  *  I  greatly  rejoice,  because  the  Lord  has  heard 
my  voice;  because  He  bowed  His  ear  to  listen  to  my  suppli 
cations,  and  I  will  call  upon  Him  all  the  days  of  my  life.' 
My  beloved,  do  not  think  I  am  deceived.  No,  no,  no  !  I 
feel  in  my  heart  that  my  dear  Savior,  who  gave  Himself  a 
sacrifice  for  me  and  for  my  sins,  who  ascended  the  cross,  and 
was  pierced  and  tormented,  He  has  received  me,  and  heard 
my  unworthy  voice.  Oh  !  I  wish  to  commemorate  His 
death,  and  I  hope  that  day  will  come.  If  you  desire  it,  I 
wish  to  come  to  your  room  every  evening,  and  speak  about 
spiritual  things.  I  desire  that  my  companions  also  seek  the 
Savior  till  they  find  Him.  Amen. 

"  Your  humble  disciple, 

"  (Signed)  BADASKHAN." 

Dear  child  !  I  fold  her  in  my  arms  with  emotions  too 
deep  for  utterance.  Only  those  who  know  the  unspeakable 
joy  of  leading  souls  to  Christ,  can  understand  and  appreciate 
this  heaven-born  bliss.  Blessed  work,  and  thrice  blessed 
Master  !  It  is  not  merely  that  one  more  soul  is  (we  trust) 
saved,  but  one  more  missionary  gained  for  Gospel-work 
among  this  people. 


1 88  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

In  the  evening,  another  timid,  dove-like  girl  comes  to  speak 
of  what  Christ  has  done  for  her.  Almost  for  the  first  time 
her  lips  are  opened,  and  she  appears  very  lovely  sitting  at 
the  Savior's  feet.  My  cup  is  overflowing,  and  I  cannot 
sleep  for  very  joy. 

THE   RE-OPENING    OF    SCHOOL. 

School  again  re-opens,  after  a  brief  vacation.  A  wintry 
storm  is  raging,  and  it  seems  impossible  for  any  one  to  come 
through  the  driving  sleet.  But  seven  of  the  girls  make  their 
appearance,  chilled,  and  dripping  from  the  heavy  sea  which 
they  had  to  cross  in  a  Httle  boat,  two  of  them  coming  quite 
a  distance.  They  gather  around  the  school-room  stove, 
and  soon  their  merry  voices  are  ringing  through  the  house. 
While  their  hands  are  busily  employed  with  knitting, 
crocheting,  or  needle-work,  they  exercise  their  minds  in 
composing  a  little  song  in  honor  of  their  school,  which  they 
set  to  a  lively  Italian  air  that  one  of  them  has  picked  up. 

As  their  companions  come  straggling  in,  one  by  one,  in 
spite  of  the  continued  storm,  they  learn  the  simple  ditty, 
commencing,  "  Thou  art  beloved,  O  school,"  and  all  join 
in  the  chorus  with  great  spirit,  making  the  old  house  ring 
with  their  melody. 

When  the  last,  lingering  one  of  the  twenty-six  joins  the 
happy  company,  she  exclaims  :  "  Oh,  girls,  if  there  is  a  heav 
en  on  earth,  it  is  this  school  !  " 

Everything  is  now  in  working  order,  and  we  resume 
our  daily  routine  according  to  the  programme  for  the 
division  of  time.  The  rising  bell  rings  at  5^  o'clock.  At 
6  o'clock,  all  assemble  in  the  school-room,  and  unite  in 
singing  a  veise  of  some  morning-hymn,  followed  by  a  brief 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  189 

prayer  for  a  benediction  upon  the  new  day.  They  then 
disperse  to  their  closets,  for  twenty  minutes  of  private  de 
votion.  The  breakfast-bell  rings  at  6|  o'clock-;  and  the 
group  of  neatly-dressed  Armenian  girls  gathered  around 
that  simply-spread  table  is  a  pleasant  sight.  After  the 
"  blessing,"  each  one  repeats  a  verse  of  Scripture  as  her  text 
for  the  day.  Their  food  is  very  much  that  to  which  they 
are  accustomed  at  home,  though  it  is  served  in  European 
style.  Breakfast  over,  they  scatter  to  their  domestic  work  ; 
and  Hovsep,  our  "  Man  Friday,"  comes  to  know  what  he 
shall  procure  from  the  market  for  the  day.  The  kitchen, 
store-room,  etc.,  are  duly  inspected  ;  and  when  the  "  prepa 
ration  bell  "  rings,  the  morning  work  is  completed,  and  the 
house  in  order.  School  commences  at  83-  o'clock.  The 
pupils  are  in  their  seats,  each  with  an  open  Bible  upon  the 
desk  before  her.  They  rise  when  I  enter,  and  respond  to 
my  salutation  with  a  salaam.  The  first  hour,  after  the  open 
ing  exercise,  is  spent  in  the  study  of  God's  Word,  and  it  is 
the  most  delightful  of  the  day.  The  little  work  entitled, 
"  Philosophy  of  the  Plan  of  Salvation,"  proves  a  valuable  aid 
in  studying  the  Old  Testament  dispensation,  which  is  the 
key  to  the  New  Testament.  It  is  enough  to  inspire  one  to 
look  upon  the  little  audience  at  this  hour ;  such  interest  is 
depicted  upon  almost  every  countenance,  and  such  fixed  and 
solemn  attention  given,  when  Divine  truth  is  brought  home 
to  their  hearts  and  consciences. 

No  other  text-book  can  wake  up  mind  and  strengthen  in 
tellect  like  the  Bible !  Next  to  the  "  Book  of  books," 
"  Wayland's  Moral  Science  "  is  the  favorite  study  of  our 
advanced  pupils.  "  Upham's  Mental  Philosophy  "  is  too 
abstract  and  abstruse,  and  after  the  first  few  chapters  it  is 


THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

dropped.  Geography  is  very  distasteful  to  these  Armenian 
girls,  unless  combined  with  history  and  map-drawing.  In 
grammar,  ancient  and  modern,  and  arithmetic,  they  make 
good  proficiency,  and  manifest  a  decided  taste  for  music, 
learning  to  read  the  notes  at  sight,  and  carrying  the  dif 
ferent  parts  with  comparative  ease  and  rhythmical  accuracy. 
A  little  astronomy  and  natural  philosophy,  and,  now  and 
then,  a  lecture  on  physiology,  complete  the  round  of  studies 
in  the  Armenian  language.  The  study  of  English  has,  by 
my  earnest  solicitation  to  the  u  station,"  given  place  to  Turk 
ish,  as  a  missionary  language. 

While  the  assistant  teacher  is  hearing  the  primary  classes, 
I  inspect  the  different  rooms,  take  note  of  any  defect  in  the 
domestic  work,  and  then  prepare  for  my  own  classes.  The 
morning  session  closes  at  12  o'clock,  with  an  hour's  inter 
mission,  and  a  luncheon  of  bread  and  fruit  is  spread  in  the  din 
ing-room.  The  afternoon  exercises  are  varied  by  singing, 
occasional  reading  of  essays,  and  instruction  in  sewing.  Our 
pupils,  like  all  Orientals,  are  extremely  fond  of  embroidery, 
and  ornamental  handiwork  of  every  variety.  They  show  con 
siderable  skill  and  imitative  capacity  in  fancy  work,  which 
quite  overshadows  the  plain  and  substantial,  in  their  estima 
tion  ;  and  we  are  obliged  to  restrict  this  inordinate  passion 
for  the  showy  and  fanciful,  somewhat  to  their  dislike.  School 
closes  at  4^  o'clock.  The  succeeding  half-hour  is  spent  in 
private  devotion,  selected  by  the  girls  in  preference  to  any 
other  time  at  the  close  of  the  day. 

AFTER   SCHOOL-HOURS. 

A  tap  at  my  door,  announces  the  moment  when  this 
refreshing  quiet  and  freedom  from  interruption  is  ended. 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  19 1 

Some  question  to  be  asked,  some  problem  solved,  or  an  inter 
view  sought  to  explain  a  difficulty  which  has  arisen.  Or,  it 
may  be,  there  is  a  case  of  discipline  to  demand  attention,  or 
conversation  with  one  who  is  anxiously  asking  what  she  shall 
do  to  be  saved.  In  this  way  the  time  passes  till  the  dinner- 
bell  rings  at  6  o'clock.  When  this  meal  is  over,  the  girls  are 
scattered  in  groups  in  the  halls,  or  the  little  garden ;  some 
are  singing,  one  is  reading  aloud  to  her  companions  while 
they  busily  ply  the  needle,  and  others  are  enjoying  a  game 
of  romps.  "  Study-hour  "  comes  at  7  o'clock,  and  when  all 
are  quietly  employed  in  the  school-room,  I  go  to  the  parlor, 
where  Hovsep  brings  the  "  post-bag  "  which  has  just  arrived 
from  Vizier  Khan,  with  letters,  papers,  circulars,  etc., 
etc.  The  arrival  of  the  "  post "  is  the  great  event  of  the 
day,  especially  if  French  or  Austrian  steamers  have  come 
into  port ;  for  then  we  may  expect  letters  from  the  home,  and 
the  dear  ones  far  away ;  sometimes  these  little  white-winged 
messengers  are  freighted  with  heavy  tidings,  and  we  learn 
how  much  of  joy  or  sorrow  may  be  condensed  in  a  few 
strokes  of  the  pen  ;  how  much  of  life  in  a  passing 
moment. 

When  this  survey  is  concluded,  Hovsep  brings  his  account^ 
for  the  day's  expenses,  to  be  taken  down  for  the  weekly  set 
tlement.  A  tap  of  the  bell  announces  the  close  of  "  study- 
hour."  This  is  the  time  to  "  call  the  roll,"  and  speak  of  any 
remissness  in  duty  during  the  day,  unless  it  is  deemed  best 
to  deal  with  the  delinquents  alone.  Letters  received  for  the 
school  are  now  distributed,  and  eager  hands  are  outstretched 
as  the  girls  gather  around  the  teacher's  table,  for  they  carry 
on  quite  a  large  and  interesting  correspondence  with  friends 
at  home,  requiring  some  vigilance  on  my  part,  lest  in  break- 


IQ2  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


ing  away  from  their  old,  established  customs,  they  also  over 
step  the  bounds  of  maidenly  propriety. 

Happy  voices  are  making  music  on  every  side  ;  three  or 
four  girls  besiege  me  for  a  story.  "  And  let  it  be  of  Ameri 
ca!"  they  say,  while  others  beg  for  an  exercise  in  simple 
gymnastics,  or  a  game  of  "  Blind  man's  buff,"  in  the  great 
hall.  We  adjourn  for  that  purpose,  and  I  am  a  child  once 
more,  enjoying  the  fun  as  heartily  as  the  youngest  of  my 
merry  girls,  for  there  is  "  a  time  to  laugh ;  "  and  this  is  our 
time. 

At  half-past  nine  o'clock,  the  "  retiring  bell  "  rings ;  and 
twenty  minutes  later,  I  go  the  rounds,  to  see  if  all  lights 
are  extinguished,  bid  my  flock  "  good-night,"  and  receive 
their  pleasant  responses,  "  Asdoodzo  pare  " — the  good  of 
God, — or,  "  Anoosh  koon  vaiala  " — sweet  sleep  enjoy — and 
then  return  to  my  own  room  to  improve  the  still  hours  in 
writing  letters  to  distant  friends,  or  in  penning  a  brief  record 
of  these  fleeting  scenes  ere  they  become  obliterated  from 
memory's  page  by  the  effacing  finger  of  Time. 

And  thus  passes  each  day,  varied  by  occasional  visits  from 
missionary  friends — scattered  at  remote  quarters  of  the  city — 
calls  from  English  and  other  foreign  residents,  or  passing 
travelers,  and  now  and  then,  an  evening  spent  with  our  mis 
sionary  neighbors,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Goodell,  the  only  English- 
speaking  family  living  in  Hasskeuy.  Sometimes  disease,  in 
its  numerous  phases,  makes  an  inroad  upon  our  ranks,  and 
disturbs  our  peaceful  routine  ;  an  epidemic  sweeps  through 
the  school,  as  once,  when  twenty  pupils  were  stricken,  at  the 
same  time,  with  cholera,  in  its  lighter  form,  and  a  fearful 
night  was  spent,  without  medical  or  any  human  aid,  in  going 
from  one  room  to  another,  administering  hot  foot  baths, 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  193 


mustard  drinks,  and  sinapisms,  which,  with  God's  blessing, 
saved  them  all.  And  once,  a  sad  contagious  eruption  was 
ignorantly  brought  back  by  some  pupil,  after  the  summer  vaca 
tion,  and  spread,  before  its  nature  was  known.  The  "  veritable 
(cutaneous)  disease  "  constantly  prevailing  among  the  Con 
stantinople  Jews,  and  a  literal  fulfilment  of  the  phophecy 
recorded  in  Deut.  xxviii.  27.  As  soon  as  one  set  was  relieved 
from  the  quarantine  imposed  within  the  dwelling,  another 
set  were  ready  to  take  their  places.  Words  cannot  convey 
an  adequate  idea  of  the  trial  caused  by  this  dispensation, 
which  actually  turned  the  school  into  a  hospital,  while,  at  the 
same  time,  we  struggled  along  with  broken  classes,  and 
disarranged  domestic  work,  and  managed  to  keep  even  our 
missionary  friends  in  ignorance  of  the  fact  ! 

Nursing  and  prescribing  for  Orientals  is  attended  with  un 
known  difficulties.  They  are  utterly  ignorant  of  medicine, 
in  its  essential  nature  and  effect,  and  think  that  if  a  little 
does  good,  much  will  do  more  good,  proportionately  !  And 
as  for  dieting,  it  is  far  from  their  thoughts.  Our  pupils  turn 
with  disgust  from  rice-water,  gruels,  and  porridges,  when 
ill,  and  long  for  the  "  savory  messes  "  of  which  they  are 
accustomed  to  eat  at  all  times. 

WELCOMING  A    SISTER. 

After  many  weeks  of  patient  waiting,  a  message  is  received 
from  Malta,  of  the  band  of  fresh  recruits,  on  their  way  to  join 
our  missionary  ranks;  among  them  the  dear  sister  from  my 
childhood's  home.  All  things  are  made  ready  for  the 
expected  arrival.  The  house  is  put  in  prime  order  by  the 
girls,  who  are  all  on  the  tiptoe  of  expectation.  At  last  the  glad 
morning  arrives  ;  and  a  brighter,  more  perfect  day,  in  Feb- 


IQ4  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


ruary,  never  rejoiced  our  eyes  and  heart.  The  final,  finishing 
touch  is  given  to  every  arrangement,  and  the  great  hall  door 
is  thrown  wide  open,  to  admit  the  expected  one  With  un 
looked-for  delicacy,  the  girls  withdraw  to  the  upper  hall,  that 
we  may  meet  alone. 

A  few  moments  later,  and  we  join  them ;  they  greet  their 
new  teacher  with  many  expressions  of  pleasure,  while  she  can 
only  return  their  salutations  with  kindly  looks  and  smiles.  The 
scene  recalls  my  own  experience,  when  first  introduced  to  the 
bevy  of  dark-eyed  Armenian  girls,  who  for  months  had  been 
praying  and  watching  for  my  coming;  and  memories  of  the 
brief  sojourn  in  that  early  school-home,  on  the  banks  of  the 
beautiful  Bosphorus,  crowd  thick  and  fast;  the  quaint,  yet 
comfortable  dwelling ;  the  dear  missionary  family;  the  pleasant 
garden,  where  the  little  children  played  beneath  the  loving 
mother's  eye ;  the  cosy  room  built  for  the  teacher,  command 
ing  a  magnificent  view  of  the  Bosphorus,  whose  blue  waters 
lay  spread  out  like  a  lovely  lake,  shut  in  by  hills  "  peeping 
o'er  hills,"  far  below  the  tangled  wilderness  which  sloped 
down  to  the  red-roofed  buildings  of  the  rural  village,  and 
opening  upon  a  broad  upper  terrace,  where,  beneath  the 
spreading  shade  of  the  umbrella  pine,  from  whose  lofty 
branches  a  noble  swing  was  suspended,  our  pupils  found  recre 
ation,  secure  from  observation  of  the  outer  world ;  the  hill 
beyond,  with  its  vineyard,  and  nuts,  and  flowers,  up  whose 
sides  they  delighted  to  clamber,  twining  the  wild  roses  in 
their  dark  tresses,  or  braids,  and  singing  like  the  soaring  lark, 
as  they  surveyed  the  world  below  from  their  secure  retreat. 
Ah  !  what  a  fairy  land  it  seemed,  on  that  January  day,  with  its 
soft  breath,  its  singing  birds,  and  blooming  flowers,  in  strong 
contrast  to  the  piercing  cold  and  drifting  snows  which  I  had 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL. 


left  behind,  in  dear  old  Boston,  but  thirty  days  before  !  And 
best  and  brightest  of  all,  was  the  introduction  to  such  a  circle 
of  missionaries  as  then  clustered  around  Bebek.  To  meet  those 
whose  names  had  long  been  as  familiar  as  a  household  worg!, 
and  to  be  received  as  one  of  the  family,  by  new-found  fathers 
and  mothers,  brothers  and  sisters,  this  was  indeed  blessed, 
and  it  seemed  almost  like  entering  heaven  ! 

"  Achkut  loois  !  "  —  light  to  your  eyes  —  is  the  congratula 
tion  now  tendered  to  me  by  every  member  of  the  household. 
It  is  pleasant  to  observe  their  gladness  that  I  am  no  more  to 
be  "  alone."  And  no  one  appears  to  rejoice  in  this  more 
than  Eva,  whose  thoughtful  love  leads  her  to  anticipate  my 
every  wish,  and  lighten  my  care  and  labors  in  every  possible 
way.  While  all  my  pupils  have  vied  with  each  other  in 
bestowing  marks  of  affection  upon  their  teacher,  —  in  my  com 
parative  isolation  and  lonely  burden-bearing  —  Eva  has  more 
fully  supplied  the  place  of  a  sister.  Whenever  ill  at  night, 
and  obliged  to  call  some  one,  she  was  the  first  to  hear  my 
voice,  and  spring  to  my  assistance.  And  after  doing  all  in 
her  power,  accompanied  by  many  loving  and  wistful  looks, 
she  would  retire  to  a  prayer-closet  near  by,  to  seek  heavenly 
aid  and  blessing.  Her  low,  earnest  pleadings  never  failed  to 
touch  my  heart  in  those  solitary  night-watches. 

Eva  makes  but  slow  progress  in  study.  She  acquired  Armeni 
an  with  almost  as  much  difficulty  as  a  foreigner  ;  and  the  con 
finement  of  the  school-room  proving  too  great  a  change  from 
her  former  free,  active  life,  I  have  given  her,  in  accordance 
with  medical  advice,  more  exercise  in  the  lighter  work  of  the 
house.  Her  neat  and  orderly  habits,  and  aptness  in  domes 
tic  employments,  form  quite  an  exception  to  most  of  our  pu 
pils  ;  and  when  once  taught  our  method  of  doing  any  kind 


196  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


of  housework,  the  lesson  never  needs  to  be  repeated  ;  in 
fact,  she  strives  to  out-vie  her  teacher,  though  not  in  a  wrong 
spirit.  And  she  is^.  withal,  so  conscientious  and  reliable,  that 
she  proves  an  invaluable  assistant  in  the  domestic  department 
of  the  school. 

Her  religious  nature  is  strong,  and  controls  her  whole  be 
ing;  so  that,  unconsciously  to  herself,  she  has  acquired  a 
most  happy  influence  over  her  school-mates.  Though  far  be 
hind  many  of  them  in  mental  capacity,  the  "  ornament  of  a 
meek  and  quiet  spirit"  is  hers,  and  her  heart  is  full  of  that 
Love  without  which,  the  Apostle  says,  gifts,  and  tongues,  and 
"  all  knowledge  "  are  "  nothing !  "  It  is  impossible  not  to  be 
strongly  drawn  to  a  character  so  unselfish  and  lovable  ;  yet 
there  exists  the  same  necessity  for  avoiding  any  marked  man 
ifestation  of  partiality,  as  in  a  school  at  home ;  for  human 
nature,  everywhere,  is  made  up  of  the  same  elements. 

Could  Iskoohi  but  remain  in  the  post  of  assistant  teacher, 
our  working  force  would  soon  be  stronger  than  ever  before. 
But  as  fast  as  one  is  trained,  to  whom  we  can  look  for 
help  in  training  others,  she  is  spirited  away  to  gladden  the 
heart  and  home,  and  aid  in  the  work  of  some  young  evange 
list.  The  very  thing  we  desire,  yet  feel  so  much  in  our  own 
work. 

We  cannot  call  upon  one  of  our  own  number  for  help  in 
such  an  emergency  ;  for,  there  is  no  reserve  force  to  be 
drawn  upon  among  missionary  workers  ;  and  when  one  falls 
by  the  way,  his  fellow-soldier  must  gird  himself  to  do  double 
duty. 

And  now,  my  very  own  sister  is  by  my  side !  What  a  full 
tide  of  talk  sets  in,  whenever  we  can  be  together !  for  school 
goes  on  without  intermission.  Sarah  looks  up  with  a  blank, 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  IQ7 

yet  amused  expression  every  now  and  then,  when  I  uncon 
sciously  address  her  in  the  language  which  has  so  long  been 
my  principal  medium  of  communication ;  Armenian  words 
and  phrases  step,  unbidden,  into  almost  every  dish  of  dis 
course  in  our  sweet  mother-tongue ;  but  I  shall  soon  be 
cured  of  this  propensity  ! 

Our  thoughts  are  much  with  the  beloved  mother  who  has 
left  herself  without  a  daughter  to  cheer  her  declining  years. 
We  had  hoped  that  she  too  would  come  and  bless  our 
Eastern  home  with  her  presence  and  prayers.  But  no  ;  she 
must  stay  and  see  her  Benjamin  safely  through  college  and 
seminary,  and  then  send  him  forth  on  the  same  mission  of 
mercy.  Blessed  mother !  We  can  scarcely  look  at  her  pic 
ture  for  the  blinding  tears,  as  we  think  of  her  loneliness  in 
the  dear  old  home. 

Surely,  He  who  sits  "  over  against  the  treasury,"  and  sees 
His  people  "  cast  in  of  their  abundance,"  will  say,  as  of  the 
widow  of  old,  "  Verily,  she  hath  cast  in  more  than  they  all !" 

LEARNING    THE  LANGUAGE. 

Sarah  at  once  commences  the  study  of  Armenian.  Our 
dear  girls  are  most  interested  in  her  progress,  and  teach  her 
many  words.  They  long  for  the  time  when  her  tongue  shall 
be  loosed,  and  they  can  become  more  fully  acquainted. 
But  it  is  a  long  and  wearisome  process ;  and  patience  must 
have  her  perfect  work,  when  one  begins,  like  a  little  child, 
to  learn  his  Aip,  Pen,  Kim — A,  B,  C — and  slowly  build  up  a 
vocabulary  in  a  language  which  has  no  affinity  to  any  mod 
ern  tongue ;  for  whose  puzzling  prefixes,  and  affixes,  and 
misplaced  particles,  there  are  no  rules,  and  usage  alone  must 
be  the  guide.  During  my  early  days  of  much  dictionary- 


198  THE   ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 


studying,  and  floundering  amid  heaps  of  synonyms,  with  no 
clue  to  detect  the  many  obsolete  words,  how  patience-pro 
voking  were  those  written  exercises  to  be  prepared  for  my 
Armenian  teacher !  And  how  almost  wicked  it  seemed  to 
try  to  follow  the  preacher  in  his  Sunday  discourse ;  while  I 
was  endeavoring  to  unravel  one  of  his  involved  and  complex 
sentences,  he  would  pass  on  to  another,  and  yet  another, 
till  I  became  bewildered  and  gave  up  the  attempt  in  despair. 
How  I  envied  the  veriest  little  ragamuffin  on  the  streets  who 
could  rattle  off  Armenian  to  his  heart's  content !  But  hard 
est  of  all  this  new  experience,  was  the  first  attempt  to  pray 
in  the  presence  of  my  pupils.  The  fear  lest  I  might  use 
some  inappropriate  word  or  expression  in  addressing  the 
Deity  in  this  new  tongue,  and  thus  provoke  a  smile,  caused 
my  face  to  burn  and  my  heart  to  throb  ;  after  it  was  over,  I 
felt  very  much  as  did  a  young  missionary  who  had  long  de 
layed  the  duty,  and  was  finally  induced  to  make  the  attempt 
at  the  family  altar.  He  stammered  through,  in  broken  ut 
terances;  and,  rising  from  his  knees,  with  flushed  face, 
exclaimed,  as  he  gave  vent  to  his  feelings  by  tossing  some 
little  thing  across  the  room,  "  You'll  not  catch  me  again 
practicing  my  poor  Armenian  upon  the  Lord !  " 

We  have  been  troubled  to  secure  a  good  teacher  for  the  study 
of  the  language.  It  is  not  deemed  proper  for  an  unmarried 
student  to  come  into  our  school ;  therefore  we  cannot  employ 
one  who  has  been  trained  in  the  Seminary  at  Bebek ;  and 
must  take  the  best  that  we  can  find  from  "  without."  The  one 
now  in  our  employ  cannot  be  better  described  than  in  the 
words  of  an  Armenian,  respecting  a  former  Patriarch:  "He 
is  just  like  an  empty  cistern  :  If  you  put  your  head  to  its 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  199 

mouth,  and  say  *  boo,'  the  cistern  says  '  boo ;'  if  you  say 
'bah,'  the  cistern  says  *  bah  !'  " 

"  What  a  blessed  thing  it  is  that  new  missionaries  are 
obliged  to  learn  the  language  before  they  can  go  to  work !  " 
says  one  of  the  wise  missionary  fathers.  "  Suppose  they 
could  dash  right  in,  fresh  from  their  theological  seminaries ; 
why,  they  would  upset  our  work  of  years  in  a  few  weeks !  " 
It  is  hard  for  "  Young  America  "  to  accommodate  itself  to 
the  "  Yawash,  yawash  " — slowly,  slowly — of  the  Turk ;  and 
one  will  make  sad  mistakes  if  he  judges  the  life  and  sur 
roundings  of  the  people  from  his  own  standard.  Four  or  five 
years  are  said  to  be  requisite  for  acquiring  a  good  knowl 
edge  of  the  Armenian  language  ;  though  one  can  commence 
missionary  work,  to  some  extent,  within  the  first  year.  It  is 
not  an  uncommon  thing  for  an  ambitious  young  missionary 
to  preach  his  first  sermon  in  the  new  tongue  which  he  is  ac 
quiring,  within  two  or  three  months  after  his  arrival.  But 
he  seldom  fails  in  justifying  the  playful  prediction  of  one  of 
the  fathers,  "  It  will  be  long  enough  before  he  preaches 
another !  "  Meanwhile,  much  may  be  learned  of  the  people, 
their  manners,  customs,  modes  of  thought  and  feeling ;  and 
how  best  to  adapt  oneself  to  them  without  offending  their 
tastes,  or  awakening  their  prejudices. 

The  work  of  a  foreign  missionary  is  but  well  begun  at  the 
expiration  of  four  or.five  years  in  the  field. 

CHRISTIAN  CULTURE. 

The  deep  seriousness  which  pervaded  our  school  during 
the  last  term  has  not  disappeared.  A  letter  from  five  of 
those  who  are  yet  without  hope,  lies  before  me.  They  write 


200  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


as  follows :  "  We  are  much  pained  that  it  is  so  long  a  time 
since  we  came  hither,  and  we  still  remain  in  the  same  condi 
tion.  Dear  teacher,  we  feel  that  we  are  sinners;  we  know 
that  we  have  transgressed  against  the  dear  Savior.  We  are 
very  thankful  to  God  that  He  brought  us  to  this  beloved 
school,  where  we  enjoy  such  privileges ;  and  we  are  also 
thankful  to  you,  that  we  have  such  a  dear  teacher  to  speak 
with,  and  advise  us.  If  we  had  never  come  to  this  school, 
we  should  have  lived  in  unbelief  and  idolatry,  and  how  ter 
rible  would  have  been  our  condition !  But  what  great 
gratitude  are  we  to  show  to  our  God  that  He  has  called  us 
from  such  darkness  to  the  light." 

Another  writes:  "  I  much  desire  to  know  and  do  the  will 
of  God.  I  am  ready  to  spend  my  whole  life  for  Him." 

Anitsa  is  one  of  our  best  scholars.  She  has  a  mind  of 
more  than  ordinary  strength  and  grasp.  But  her  faults  are 
very  marked,  and  her  force  of  character  makes  us  the  more 
anxious  for  her  future  course ;  nothing  but  religious  princi 
ple  can  remedy  her  defects. 

She  learns  with  great  ease  and  rapidity,  committing  sev 
enty  or  eighty  verses  of  Scripture  at  a  time,  and  repeating 
them  word  for  word.  Study  is  her  delight;  and  she  will 
pore  over  a  book  for  hours,  utterly  oblivious  of  her  personal 
appearance  or  surroundings.  Here  she  comes !  a  brunette, 
with  beautiful  eyes,  a  strong  Armenian  face,  and  firm  yet 
slender  figure,  rather  above  medium  height,  rushing  into  the 
school-room  like  a  young  whirlwind  just  let  loose !  hair  fly 
ing,  shoes  and  stockings  down  at  the  heels,  and  a  staring 
rent  in  her  careless  dress.  She  is  sent  to  her  room  to  tidy 
herself;  a  dash  or  two  of  the  brush  over  the  tangled  masses 
of  her  long  black  hair;  a  vigorous  pull  at  the  offending  cov- 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  2OI 


erings  of  her  feet,  and  half-a-dozen  great  gaping  stitches,  to 
close  the  unsightly  chasm  in  her  raiment,  and  she  reappears, 
with  head  erect,  and  face  serene,  while  a  scarcely  suppressed 
smile  ripples  around  the  room,  among  her  mates,  as  she 
passes  to  her  seat. 

Alas,  for  the  chest  which  contains  her  wearing  apparel ! 
How  often  have  I  reduced  that  chaos  to  order,  while  she 
stood  by  to  learn  the  lesson,  interspersed  with  many  a  plain, 
practical  hint,  and  motherly  query  as  to  the  kind  of  house 
keeper  she  would  prove  for  a  Gospel  preacher,  to  whose  peo 
ple  she  must  be  the  model  in  everything  that  is  good  and  lovely! 
These  private  talks  always  result  in  manifestations  of  con 
siderable  spasmodic  feeling  on  her  part ;  but  very  likely,  my 
next  inspection  will  reveal  a  fringe  of  clothing  hanging  from 
underneath  the  lid,  while  sundry  articles  are  strewn  upon  the 
floor  around  the  queer  old  chest.  Dear  child  !  I  fear  that  I  am 
not  always  as  gentle  and  patient  as  was  Paul  among  the  Thes- 
salonians — "  Even  as  a  nurse  cherisheth  her  children ;" — for 
the  same  constant  supervision  is  required  in  her  portion  of 
the  household  work.  But  we  cannot  forget  that  Anitsa 
was  early  left  an  orphan,  with  only  men  to  keep  the  house, 
and  care  for  her,  while  she  grew  up  wild  and  untamed. 
How  she  can  best  be  trained  in  womanly  work  and  ways,  is 
a  question  that  causes  much  thought  and  prayer;  for  she  is 
naturally  proud  and  ambitious,  and  like  most  Orientals,  con 
siders  labor  to  be  degrading.  But  she  has  capacity  sufficient 
to  accomplish  anything  to  which  she  bends  her  energy  and 
will.  So  we  work  on,  in  the  patience  of  hope,  doing  and  seeking 
that  which  will  best  promote  her  future  usefulness,  not  only 
for  her  own  sake,  but  also  for  the  cause  which  she  will  rep 
resent  among  her  people.  If  imbued  with  the  spirit  of 
9* 


202  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

Christ,  she  may  yet  do  great  things  for  her  race.  Anitsa 
will  be  the  first  representative  of  our  school,  the  first  educated 
woman  in  a  distant  and  extensive  region,  and  her  every  act 
will  be  scanned  by  many  curious  eyes. 

I  have  been  reading  "  Unde  Tom's  Cabin  "  in  Armenian. 
It  is  impossible  to  give  the  peculiar  dialect  of  the  African  in 
this  new  dress,  and  consequently,  the  slaves  are  made  to  use 
the  same  phraseology  as  their  masters,  which  detracts  from 
the  interest  of  the  book.  But  one  of  the  Armenian  preach 
ers  says  he  was  perfectly  fascinated  by  it,  and  sat  up  all 
night  to  finish  the  story.  Our  pupils  have  not  yet  seen  it ;  I 
have  hesitated  about  giving  them  a  book  so  different  from 
anything  they  have  ever  read,  lest  it  should  create  a  distaste 
for  the  more  solid  and  serious  reading  in  which  they  now 
delight.  They  frequently  come  to  me  with  tracts  and  books 
such  as  Flavel's  "  On  Keeping  the  Heart,"  Doddridge's 
"  Rise  and  Progress,"  Baxter's  "  Saints'  Rest,"  etc.,  saying, 
"  How  beautiful!"  as  they  point  out  some  particular  de 
scription  or  passage.  Bunyan's  "  Pilgrim's  Progress  "  is  a 
never-failing  favorite. 

While  I  am  busy  writing  in  my  room,  a  number  of  the 
younger  girls  seek  admittance.  I  hand  them  a  newly-received 
copy  of  the  "  Avedaper  " — newspaper  — to  read  until  I  am  at 
liberty.  One  of  them  commences  reading  aloud  a  story  of  a 
little  child  who  asked  his  mother  what  it  is  to  give  one's 
heart  to  Jesus;  and  when  she  had  explained  it  in  simple 
language,  the  dear  boy  made  the  offering  then  and  there, 
and  from  that  time  gave  evidence  of  being  truly  a  child  of 
God. 

As  Mariam  reads,  the  tears  gather  in  her  eyes,  her  voice 
trembles,  and  she  stops.  Her  companions  lean  over  her 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  203 


shoulders,  and  in  silence,  they  together  finish  the  touching 
narrative,  with-  evident  emotion  depicted  upon  their  counte 
nances.  The  group  form  a  lovely  picture ;  and  as  I  occasion 
ally  glance  at  them,  I  can  but  think  how  much  more  tender 
and  impressible  are  their  hearts  than  those  whose  minds  have 
been  weakened,  and  consciences  seared  by  constant  poring 
over  fiction. 

GROWTH  AND  DEVELOPMENT. 

"  We  want  to  know  why  we  are  not  Christians?  "  This  is 
the  earnest  inquiry  of  a  very  interesting  class  of  girls  in  the 
school,  who  have  long  seemed  near  the  kingdom.  They 
have  faithfully  used  all  the  means  of  grace,  and  then  seemed 
to  wait  for  some  manifestation  of  Divine  power  in  their  behalf. 
I  had  conversed  with  them  so  frequently  during  the  last  term, 
that  it  now  seemed  wise  to  adopt  another  course.  My 
silence  produces  the  desired  effect.  They  are  alarmed,  and 
come  to  me  for  help.  It  is  Sunday  evening;  all  of  those 
who  do  not  consider  themselves  as  Christians,  have  come  of 
their  own  accord  to  my  room.  I  repeat  the  question  which 
some  of  them  have  asked,  and  after  a  few  words  to  show 
who  is  at  fault  in  the  matter,  I  am  led  to  say,  "  If  there  is 
one  here  who  is  now  ready  to  make  the  solemn  resolve  that 
she  will  henceforth  serve  the  Lord,  I  would  like  her  to  man 
ifest  it  by  rising."  All  seem  much  affected,  but  no  one 
responds;  afew  more  words  about  the  Savior; — that,  were  • 
He  here  in  person,  they  are  sure  they  would  run  to  Him  and 
wish  to  follow  Him  ;  and  we  then  kneel  in  prayer.  When  I  tell 
them  that  they  are  really  making  a  decision,  if  not  to  come 
to  Christ,  to  go  on  in  sin  a  little  longer,  as  disobedient  chil 
dren,  they  are  much  moved.  We  sit  in  silence,  broken  only 
by  the  sobs  of  the  weeping  girls,  while  I  tremble  lest  I  have 


204  THE   ROMANCE   OF  MISSIONS. 


been  rash  and  unwise  in  bringing  them  to  a  crisis  which  may 
leave  them  colder,  and  at  a  greater  distance  than  before. 
Deeply  burdened  with  the  responsibility  of  guiding  these 
souls  aright,  I  lift  my  heart  in  prayer,  and  at  this  moment, 
one  dear  child,  the  youngest  of  the  group,  rises ;  her  counte 
nance  expressive  of  a  calm  determination,  that,  let  others  do 
as  they  will,  she  is  determined  to  live  for  Jesus.  While 
speaking  to  her  of  the  joy  in  heaven  over  one  sinner  that 
repents  and  turns  to  God,  another  arises,  and  yet  another, 
till  the  six  who  seemed  prepared  for  such  a  step,  are  all  on 
their  feet.  Again  we  kneel,  and  these  tender  lambs  are 
committed  to  the  watch  and  care  of  the  Great  Shepherd  of 
Israel.  Are  not  the  angels  hovering  over  this  house  to 
night  ?  "  Awake,  O  North  wind;  and  come,  thou  South; 
blow  upon  my  garden,  that  the  spices  thereof  may  flow  out." 

It  is  delightful  to  watch  the  growth  and  development  of 
some  of  these  "  plants  of  righteousness,"  in  our  Garden 
upon  the  Golden  Horn.  Through  the  "  ministry  of  the 
Spirit,"  those  who  were  once  full  of  pride,  selfishness,  and 
anger,  easily  provoked  and  stubborn,  are  learning  that  LOVE 
brings  a  sweet  rest  to  the  soul ;  while  self-will  and  indul 
gence  in  wrong  feelings,  is  but  torment  and  slavery  ;  "  like 
the  troubled  sea,  whose  waters  cast  up  mire  and  dirt,"  the 
deep  deposits  of  a  fallen  nature  come  to  the  surface ;  and 
"  there  is  no  peace."  From  time  to  time,  they  write  little  notes 
which  tell  me  of  their  spiritual  condition.  Here  is  one  from 
a  dear  child  who  hoped  that  her  sins  were  pardoned  before 
school  closed  last  year  : 

"  MY  DEAR  TEACHER  : — Behold,  I  write  this  letter  to  tell 
you  about  my  spiritual  condition.  My  beloved  ;  I  often 
look  within  and  examine  my  heart,  and  I  feel  my  progress, 


THE  TRAINING-SCHOOL.  2O5 

especially  these  days ;  and  I  always  feel  my  being  a  sinner 
also.  Besides,  I  perceive  that  of  myself  I  have  no  strength. 
If  my  Savior  do  not  help  me,  and  hold  my  hand,  I  shall 
quickly  fall.  Truly,  I  often  stumble,  but  He  does  not  let  go 
my  hand,  but  raises  me  up.  Much  do  I  hope  that  I  shall 
always  be  like  my  Savior ;  and  I  have  much  desire  that  my 
sisters  also  consecrate  themselves  to  that  compassionate 
Savior,  and  be  saved. 

"  O,  how  much  did  I  desire  to  be  with  you  when  you  drew 
near  the  table  of  the  Lord,  the  last  time ! 

"  You  said  that  we  ought  also  to  have  been  there.  We,  all 
of  us,  that  is,  Takoohi,  Makrohi,  Aghavni,  Horopsi,  and 
I,  wished  to  be  partakers.  Will  that  day  ever  come  ?  Per 
haps  you  will  say,  '  Why  do  you  wish  to  be  a  partaker  ?  ' 
I  wish  to  be  one,  because  my  heart  testifies  to  me  that  I  am 
a  child  of  God,  and  for  the  reason  that  I  wish  to  commemo 
rate  His  death  with  His  members.  I  sometimes  think,  'per 
haps  they  will  not  look  at  me,  because  I  am  still  little ;'  but 
I  also  think  that  God  does  not  look  at  the  being  great  or 
small,  only  at  the  heart.  I  much  wish  that  for  me,  and  for 
all  of  us,  you  would  always  pray ;  and  I  wish  also,  that  when 
I  do  anything  wrong,  you  would  call  me  and  give  me  advice, 
for  I  am  in  much  need  of  advice.  I  feel  that  when  I  fall 
into  temptation,  I  am  afterwards  more  careful,  and  become 
more  firmly  established.  I  need  much  grace.  I  hope  that  the 
Lord  will  not  cast  me  away  from  His  presence.  Your  sincere 

disciple, 

"(Signed)  MARKARED." 

There  is  an  evident  expectation  in  the  minds  of  those  who 
are  admitted  to  this  school,  that  they  will  undergo  some 


206  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


great  change.  What  that  change  is,  they  scarcely  compre 
hend,  except  that  it  in  some  way  pertains  to  their  religion. 
During  the  first  year  of  my  missionary  teaching,  the  number  of 
our  boarding  pupils  was  increased  from  twenty-six  to  thirty- 
five ;  among  these  were  several  "  harum  scarum  "  little  girls, 
received  through  yie  urgent  solicitation  of  Armenian  friends, 
"  because,"  as  they  said,  "  they  were  so  poor;  and  it  would 
be  a  charity  to  provide  for  them."  They  were  veritable 
Topseys ;  and  their  persons,  dress,  and  manners,  as  well  as 
minds,  required  vigilant  watch  and  care. 

One  of  them  was  reproved  for  telling  an  untruth.  "  Why," 
she  exclaimed,  in  great  amazement,  "  I  didn't  know  it  was 
against  the  rule  to  lie!  " 

Finding  the  discipline  of  the  school-room  very  lax  under 
Armenian  assistants,  and  being  at  that  time  unable,  for  want 
of  a  tongue,  to  take  the  reins  fully  into  my  own  hands,  I  drew 
up  a  set  of  very  minute  and  specific  rules,  pertaining  to 
punctuality,  promptness,  neatness  in  dress,  mode  of  sitting, 
etc.,  etc.  The  touch  of  the  bell  regulated  the  changes  of 
each  half-hour,  at  which  time  everything  necessary  for  study 
during  the  next  period,  was  to  be  withdrawn  from  the  desks, 
thus  ensuring  perfect  quiet  during  the  recitations.  These 
rules  were  translated  into  Armenian,  read  to  the  school,  and 
then  fastened  upon  the  school-room  door;  after  a  week's 
trial,  the  regulations  were  adopted  by  a  unanimous  vote  of 
our  pupils,  though  they  considered  them  "  very  strict."  It 
was  interesting,  sometimes  funny,  to  see  the  effect  of  the  new 
laws.  They  quite  revolutionized  the  order  of  things,  and 
afforded  another  proof  of  the  fart  that  everybody  likes  to  be 
well  governed,  and  is  happier  for  it.  Some  of  the  older  girls 
copied  them,  saying  :  "  When  I  teach,  I  shall  use  these  rules." 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  2O/ 


But  when  a  year  or  two  had  passed,  and  they  were  well 
grounded  in  these  "  commandments,"  a  general  sentiment 
was  established  in  the  school  which  rendered  the  "  Thou 
shalt,"  and  "  Thou  shalt  not,"  unnecessary;  the  specific  reg 
ulations  were  withdrawn,  and  our  pupils  were  thrown  upon 
their  personal  responsibility  in  keeping  the  spirit,  instead 
of  the  letter  of  the  law.  Otherwise,  we  could  not  expect 
them  to  develop  self-governing  ability  when  thrown  upon 
their  own  resources  after  leaving  the  school.  This  is  the 
Divine  method  ; — the  "  New  Testament  " — order,— making, 
not  mere  machines  of  mankind,  but  intelligent,  co-operative, 
free-willed  subjects. 

A  very  encouraging  development  of  the  Christian  "  grace 
of  giving "  was  manifested  by  our  pupils  in  aid  of  the 
"Morning  Star."  We  had  attended  the  Monthly  Concert 
of  prayer  for  missions,  which  was  conducted  in  the  chapel 
on  Sunday  evening  by  Mr.  Williams,  a  converted  Turk, 
formerly  "  Selim  effendi  :"  And  on  our  return  to  the  upper 
hall,  I  seized  the  occasion  to  speak  once  more  to  the  school, 
about  systematic  benevolence ;  alluding  to  the  work  that 
children  in  America  were  doing  for  the  heathen,  by  furnish 
ing  funds  for  the  "  Missionary  Packet."  While  we  were 
talking  on  the  subject,  two  of  the  girls  slipped  away  for  a 
moment,  and  returned  with  twenty-five  piastres — one  dol 
lar — which  they  placed  in  my  hand.  It  was  a  pleasant  sur 
prise,  and  betokened  a  latent  liberality  which  only  needed  to 
be  energized  and  directed. 

When  I  met  the  girls  on  Monday  evening,  to  talk  it  over, 
according  to  my  promise,  they  were  very  eager  to  know 
more  about  the  new  project.  After  I  had  told  them  all  that 
I  knew  of  the  enterprise,  and  the  work  which  would  be  ac- 


208  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

complished  among  the  islands  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  by  this 
Gospel-ship,  their  enthusiasm  was  awakened,  and  they  asked 
with  much  animation,  whether  they  also  could  help  to  build  it. 
And  when  assured  that  every  offering,  however  small,  would 
be  prized,  began  to  contribute  their  piastres.  My  hands  were 
soon  filled  with  the  coppers  ;  but  missing  one  of  the  flock,  I 
passed  the  coins  to  some  of  the  older  girls  to  count,  while  I 
stepped  into  an  adjoining  room.  Here  I  found  Victoria, 
weeping  by  herself,  because  she  had  "  nothing  to  give." 
Her  family  were  highly  respectable,  but  very  poor,  and 
the  mother,  a  good  Christian  woman,  had,  with  difficulty,  fur 
nished  her  daughter's  necessary  clothing.  I  remembered  that 
a  piece  of  Victoria's  "  crochet-work  "  had  been  lately  sold 
for  six  piastres,  and  lifted  the  load  from  her  heart  by  the  in 
formation.  Her  eyes  sparkled,  and  she  quickly  said,  "  Put 
in  Jive  for  me  !  " 

The  girls  had  finished  counting  the  money  when  we  re 
joined  them ;  but  when  "  seventy-five  piastres  "  was  an 
nounced,  all  cried  out,  "  It  is  not  enough  !"  They  then  put 
their  heads  together  to  see  how  they  could  raise  more.  I 
left  them  again,  and  when  passing  by  a  dark  corridor,  over 
heard  two  girls  in  consultation  about  the  matter.  "I  owe 
for  a  pair  of  shoes,"  said  one,  "  and  ought  not  to  subscribe  for 
more  till  that  is  paid."  "But,"  argued  her  companion,  "if 
you  really  wish  to  do  something  more,  you  can  ;  God  will 
help  you.  You  know  whether  you  can  finish  a  piece  of 
work  by  a  certain  time,  and  that  will  pay  for  both."  Such 
conversations,  of  which  their  teachers  are  often  unobserved 
listeners,  afford  a  more  faithful  index  of  their  true  feelings, 
and  mode  of  reasoning,  than  could  otherwise  be  obtained. 
By  their  own  request,  a  paper  was  drawn  up,  and  each  girl 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  2OQ 

named  the  sum  which  she  pledged  herself  to  pay  by  a  given 
time.  While  this  was  going  on,  Victoria,  who  was  leaning 
on  my  shoulder,  whispered,  "  Put  in  the  other  piastre !  " 
When  the  list  was  completed,  the  entire  sum  amounted  to 
two  hundred  piastres !  Every  face  beamed  with  joy,  and 
some  of  the  younger  girls  fairly  danced  with  delight.  "  Per 
haps  I  shall  go  as  a  missionary  in  that  ship  !  "  said  one  of 
them  ;  and  another  asked  "  if  our  money  would  pay  for  one 
of  the  timbers  ?  " 

Their  hearts  were  overflowing  with  the  blessed  luxury  of 
giving  to  those  who  were  poorer  and  more  needy  than  them 
selves.  And  as  I  looked  upon  the  happy  group,  most  of 
whom  had,  as  they  hoped,  commenced  the  "  new  life,"  and, 
out  of  their  poverty,  had  contributed  generously  for  the 
spread  of  the  Gospel,  so  dear  to  them,  I  could  but  wish  that 
Christians  of  an  older  growth  in  other  lands  might  witness 
that  scene,  and  learn  a  lesson  from  these  babes  in  Christ 
Such  fruit  from  these  tender  branches  of  the  vine  is  inex 
pressibly  cheering  to  our  hearts.  May  no  hidden  worm,  or 
corroding  canker,  sever  their  connection  with  the  ROOT,  and 
thus  leave  them  withered  and  bare,  only  to  be  "  cast  forth 
and  burned." 

ENLARGING   OUR  BORDERS. 

A  few  months  have  passed  since  the  coming  of  the  long- 
looked-for  sister,  to  share  the  blessed  burden  and  sweet 
cares  of  this  garden  of  the  Lord.  During  this  period  the 
study  of  the  language  has  been  her  principal  work,  besides 
rendering  some  assistance  in  the  sewing  department  of  which 
she  now  takes  full  charge,  and  also  keeping  the  school 
accounts.  Another  member  has  just  been  added  to  our 
family,  in  the  person  of  Miss  H.,  a  missionary  sent  out  by 


210  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

the  London  Jews'  Society,  to  teach  the  Spanish  Jewesses  of 
Hasskeuy.  There  appeared  to  be  no  home  for  her  in  this 
vicinity;  and,  with  the  consent  of  the  "  Station,"  we  granted 
her  earnest  request  to  share  a  corner  of  our  dwelling.  She 
also  is  acquiring  her  missionary  language,  and  a  venerable 
Rabbi  comes  every  day  to  give  her  a  lesson  in  Hebrew- 
Spanish.  So  the  two  neophytes  can  compare  progress  in 
their  respective  tongues,  and  be  company  for  each  other 
when  I  am  absorbed  in  school  duties.  Miss  H.  is  a  Chris 
tian  daughter  of  the  house  of  Israel,  of  German  birth  ;  and 
her  musical  taste  and  skill  contributes  much  to  our  social 
enjoyment. 

The  two  day-schools  on  the  lower  floor  of  our  house  are 
well  filled,  with  nearly  a  hundred  boys  and  girls  in  daily  at 
tendance  ;  their  singing  can  be  heard  a  long  distance  on  the 
main  street,  and  passers-by  often  stop  to  listen.  The  chapel 
has  proved  too  small  to  accommodate  all  who  come  to  the 
Sunday  services.  At  first,  our  pupils  were  crowded  into  a 
little  side  room  where  they  could  hear,  and  also  add  to  the 
exercises  by  their  sweet  singing.  But  that  did  not  suffice, 
and  our  borders  were  enlarged  by  the  method  so  common 
among  missionaries — of  taking  down  partition  walls.  Occa 
sionally  a  Turk  or  a  Jew  drops  into  our  congregation,  in  the 
midst  of  a  discourse  ;  and  at  such  times  the  preacher  changes 
from  the  Armenian  to  the  Turkish  language  without  any 
apparent  effort,  as  the  latter  is  the  business  language  of  the 
country,  and  more  or  less  understood  by  all  the  people.  The 
chapel  is  thronged  by  all  classes  at  our  Communion  seasons, 
which  are  very  solemnizing,  and  the  sermon  previous,  usually 
holds  the  attention  of  the  audience  to  the  close.  More 
quiet  assemblies  I  scarcely  ever  saw. 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  211. 

A  Protestant  wedding  is  sure  to  draw  a  great  crowd,  and 
Pastor  Simon  never  fails  to  seize  the  opportunity  for  a  dis 
course  upon  the  family  relation — the  duties  of  husbands  and 
wives.  As  time  is  of  little  value  in  the  East,  and  the  people 
generally  are  blessed  with  the  "  gift  of  continuance,"  they 
sit  very  patiently  through  an  hour's  preaching,  previous  to 
the  marriage  ceremony.  In  fact,  Protestants  would  feel 
aggrieved  without  the  full  allowance  at  such  a  time  ! 

Many  of  the  aristocrats  of  the  place  have  heard  the  truth ; 
not  a  few,  like  Nicodemus,  in  secret — at  the  "spiritual  night- 
meetings,"  as  they  termed  those  little  gatherings  with  the 
missionaries,  both  in  this  house,  and  at  their  homes,  when 
the  work  was  first  commenced  in  Hasskeuy ;  but,  like  the 
"  chief  rulers  who  believed  "  the  words  of  Christ,  "  because 
of  the  Pharisees  they  did  not  confess  Him,  lest  they 
should  be  put  out  of  the  synagogue."  "  Not  many  mighty, 
not  many  noble  are  called." 

One  of  the  leading  priests  of  Hasskeuy  long  ago  said  to 
Dr.  Dwight,  "  If  you  will  but  ensure  my  bread,  I  will  come 
over  to  you  !  "  He  is  intelligent,  and  enlightened,  but  hopes 
to  reform  the  "  Old  Church  "  by  staying  in  it ;  and  we  hear 
that  some  of  Dr.  Goodell's  sermons  are  reproduced  by  him 
in  his  Sunday  services  in  the  Armenian  Church  ! 

A   MEETING  FOR    WOMEN  IN  AN  ARMENIAN 
CHURCH. 

" Varzhoohi,"  said  an  Armenian  woman,  "you  talk  just 
like  our  priest !  Come  over  to  Eyub,  next  Wednesday,  and 
hear  him  preach  to  the  women." 

We  take  a  caique,  and  cross  the  Golden  Horn,  to  the  vil 
lage  opposite,  at  the  appointed  time.  The  church  is  large 


212  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


and  lofty,  a  massive  stone  building  with  vaulted  roof.  Pass 
ing  through  the  outer  and  inner  court,  we  are  reminded  of 
the  passage,  "  Take  off  thy  shoes  from  off  thy  feet,  for  the 
place  whereon  thou  standest  is  holy  ground;"  for  here  are 
narrow  shelves  to  deposit  them  till  our  return.  Here  too 
are  pictures  of  saints  with  tapers  burning  before  them.  We 
enter  the  audience  room ;  it  is  early,  and  we  have  ample 
leisure  to  survey  our  surroundings.  While  we  are  looking 
at  the  richly-decorated  paintings,  and  the  jewelled  shrines 
upon  the  altar,  our  attention  is  arrested  by  sad  tones,  and 
rapid  utterances  broken  by  sobs,  proceeding  from  the  con 
fessional ;  the  door  is  :jar,  and  now  we  can  plainly  hear  the 
gruff  voice  of  the  confessor,  as  he  tells  the  poor  woman  to 
"  give  alms,  do  penance,  burn  tapers  before  the  saints  " — to 
atone  for  the  sin  of  her  soul  by  the  works  of  her  hands !  A 
moment  more,  and  they  come  out;  we  catch  a  glimpse  of 
her  pale,  distressed  countenance  ;  she  kisses  the  "  Holy 
Book "  presented  to  her  by  the  priest,  is  sprinkled  with 
"  holy  water,"  and  deposits  her  offering  of  silver  upon 
the  altar,  as  she  reverently  crosses  herself.  Poor  deluded 
soul  !  how  I  longed  to  tell  her  of  the  atonement  made  by 
the  Lamb  of  God,  and  the  blood  that  "  cleanseth  from  all 
sin !  "  But  others  are  rapidly  coming  in  all  wrapped  in 
their  white  sheets.  They  cross  themselves  on  entering  the 
church,  then  advance,  and  stand  with  hands  outstretched  in 
an  imploring  attitude  toward  the  picture  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 
whom  they  call "  the  Mother  of  God."  After  repeated  crossings 
and  mutterings  of  a  form  of  prayer,  they  kneel,  touch  the  fore 
head  to  the  floor  in  worship,  and  then  complacently  settle 
back  upon  their  feet.  The  next  thing  in  order  seems  to  be 
an  arrangement  of  their  dress  ;  and  when  they  carelessly  look 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  213 


around  and  catch  sight  of  the  "  Franks  " — as  they  term  all 
foreigners — they  whisper  and  gaze  with  much  curiosity. 

Perhaps  two  hundred  Armenian  women  are  now  assem 
bled  ;  the  priest  makes  his  appearance,  and  immediately  the 
hum  of  conversation  ceases,  and  all  eyes  are  directed  towards 
him.  His  tall  person  is  enveloped  in  a  long  black  robe ;  the 
cowl  is  drawn  over  his  head,  and  partly  conceals  a  full  face, 
with  heavy  dark  brown  beard,  and  fine  eyes  of  the  same 
color.  Seating  himself  in  the  square  straight-backed  arm 
chair,  within  the  altar-enclosure,  and  holding  a  long  staff — 
somewhat  like  a  shepherd's  crook — in  his  left  hand,  he  com 
mences  his  discourse  by  saying  that  when  Jesus  was  on  earth, 
He  fed  the  hungry,  healed  the  sick,  restored  the  blind  to 
sight,  and  caused  the  lame  to  walk  :  That  His  goodness  and 
His  power  remain  the  same  to-day  as  then.  This  is  won 
derful  for  an  Armenian  priest !  And  Iskoohi  and  I  exchange 
glances  of  pleasure — for  we  expect  a  real  Gospel  sermon 
after  such  an  introduction.  His  language  is  a  mixture  of 
ancient  and  modern  Armenian  and  Turkish ; — a  kind  of 
patois  mostly  used  by  the  women,  and  not  easily  understood 
by  those  accustomed  to  what  the  people  term  "  book-lan 
guage."  His  words  seem  to  touch  the  hearts  of  the  audi 
ence,  and  we  listen  eagerly  to  catch  some  recognition  of 
Christ  as  the  Physician  of  the  soul — the  Savior  from  sin. 

But  here  we  are  disappointed.  This  priest  has  either  not 
found  Christ  for  himself,  or  he  dare  not  preach  what  he  be 
lieves.  So  the  sermon  ends  in  a  sort  of  moral  essay,  or 
exhortation ;  and  the  flock  of  poor  starving  souls  receive 
but  a  few  scattered  crumbs  from  the  Master's  table,  where 
there  is  bread  enough  and  to  spare  "  for  all  the  world !  " 
How  our  hearts  burn  within  us  for  the  privilege  of  proclaim- 


214  TIIE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

ing  to  them  the  "  glad  tidings  of  redemption  through  His 
blood,"— even  the  "  forgiveness  of  sins  !  "  But  we  must  bide 
our  time.  The  service  ends,  and  the  priest  departs.  Many 
curious  glances  are  directed  towards  us,  as  the  women  rise 
to  leave;  and  some  gather  courage  to  ask  us  what  we  are, 
where  are  we  from,  etc.,  while  others  look  and  listen  in 
silence.  When  we  tell  them  of  our  home,  and  school,  one 
bright,  motherly-looking  woman  asks,  if  we  will  educate  her 
boy.  Some  of  these  faces  greatly  interest  us.  Not  a  few 
of  the  older  women  bear  the  impress  of  some  heavy  sorrow, 
some  corroding  care ;  and  more  than  one  heavy  sigh  comes 
from  a  burdened  heart,  as  they  pass  out  uncomforted  and 
unfed. 

We  find  that  a  number  came  over  from  Hasskeuy,  and 
other  places,  to  hear  this  priest,  who  is  very  popular  among 
the  women.  It  seems  that  his  liberal  and  enlightened  views 
as  well  as  his  popularity,  awakened  much  enmity  among 
brother-priests  in  the  church,  and  a  few  months  ago  he  was 
suspended  from  office.  The  women  were  offended,  and  re 
fused  to  attend  the  church  services ;  and  consequently,  a 
large  proportion  of  its  income  fell  off.  After  a  time,  the 
authorities  were  obliged  to  capitulate ;  they  came  to  terms, 
and  the  priest  was  restored.  We  rejoice  over  this  significant 
sign  of  the  times,  and  learn,  moreover,  that  woman  has  a 
certain  power  even  in  this  unchristian  land.  If  the  Turks 
wish  to  secure  an  object  in  opposition  to  the  Government, 
their  surest  method  is  to  raise  a  mob  of  women  !  Of  course, 
they  collect  all  those  of  the  baser  sort ;  and  they  are  incar 
nate  fiends ! — no  human  power  can  withstand  their  raging 
violence. 

The  poet  says,  <:  The  difference  between  a  good  and  a  bad 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  215 

man,  is  as  the  distance  from  heaven  to  earth ;  but  the  differ 
ence  between  a  good  and  a  bad  woman,  is  the  distance  from 
heaven  to  hell !  "  This  is  emphatically  true  in  the  East. 
According  to  Oriental  ideas,  a  woman  is  only  equivalent  to 
"  half  a  man ;  "  she  is  therefore  on  a  level  with  the  animals — 
too  low  for  law  to  recognize,  and  consequently  escapes  its 
rigor. 

We  return  to  our  work  with  fresh  courage  and  inspiration, 
after  this  new  view  of  the  wants  of  woman  in  Turkey.  Up 
to  this  time,  we  had  never  attended  an  Armenian  preaching 
service  in  the  "  Old  Church ;  "  for  we  did  not  care  to  go  on 
Sunday,  when  high  mass  is  said,  and  their  most  imposing 
ceremonies  performed ; — though  the  churches  are  open  every 
day  for  prayers,  and  we  have  sometimes  dropped  in,  and 
heard  the  monotonous  chanting  of  the  priests  and  boys,  and 
the  rapid  reading  of  the  lessons  in  an  unknown  tongue  ;  while 
clouds  of  incense  arose  from  the  censer  swung  by  some  aged 
priest,  who  held  in  his  left  hand  a  plate,  to  receive  the  con 
tributions  of  the  people,  and  with  abrupt,  sententious  words, 
.  enjoined  liberality  upon  every  one  as  he  passed  to  and  fro 
among  the  crowd : — So  like  the  Romish  Church,  in  its  essen 
tial  doctrines  and  rites,  yet  entirely  distinct  from  that  body, 
and  owning  no  allegiance  to  the  Pope.  The  Armenian 
Church  is  considered  heretic,  by  both  the  Greek  and  the  Latin 
Church,  and  stands  by  itself,  with  its  own  acknowledged 
head — the  "  Catholicos  " — and  an  imposing  array  of  ecclesi 
astics  of  different  grades,  and  offices,  chief  of  whom  is  the 
"  Patriarch,"  whose  office  is,  however,  mostly  civil. 


2l6  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


ORIENTAL    TRAITS  AND    TASTES. 

How  like  a  garden  our  school  appears  these  pleasant  sum 
mer  mornings !  Each  of  the  twenty-six  pupils  has  a  small 
flower-bed  which  she  cultivates,  and  at  the  ringing  of  the 
bell  they  appear,  with  fresh  and  rosy  faces,  and  heads 
adorned  by  garlands,  or  clusters  of  gay  blossoms.  (The  love 
cf  flowers  and  of  children  is  a  redeeming  trait  in  the  Turk 
ish  character.  The  swarthiest  and  coarsest-looking  soldier 
wears  a  nosegay  in  his  button-hole,  and  cultivates  the  ground 
around  the  guard-house,  or  fills  its  windows  with  pots  of 
flowers  in  full  bloom,  and  his  hard,  stern  face,  relaxes  into  a 
smile  of  tenderness,  as  he  lifts  a  little  child  into  a  carriage 
or  a  boat.)  We  are  glad  to  foster  a  taste  so  pure  and  refining, 
implanted  by  Him  who  has  lavishly  scattered  His  smiles 
in  the  heavens  above  and  the  earth  beneath,  making  every 
creation  of  beauty  "  a  joy  forever !  " 

They  manifest  their  Oriental  taste  in  many  little  ways. 
The  lights  are  suddenly  extinguished  in  the  great  hall  some 
evening,  and  we  are  invited  to  witness  a  display  of  rare  jewels. 
We  approach  a  group  of  girls  who  are  glittering  with  coro 
nets,  necklaces,  and  bracelets  of  flashing  diamonds  !  And 
constellations  are  sparkling  upon  the  drapery  of  two  or 
three.  A  closer  inspection  reveals  the  gems  to  be  but  glow 
worms,  and  causes  a  merry  peal  of  laughter  to  go  round  the 
circle  at  our  discovery. 

Another  evening  we  enjoy  a  very  pleasant  surprise  : — We 
had  noticed  for  several  days,  that  the  girls  seemed  unusually 
busy  out  of  school-hours,  and  an  air  of  mystery  was  thrown 
round  their  employments;  yet  felt  sure,  from  their  open, 
sunny  faces,  that  nothing  wrong  was  brewing.  They  man- 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  2I/' 


age  to  keep  possession  of  our  dining-room  till  the  tea-bell 
rings,  and  we  go  down  as  usual.  What  is  our  astonishment, 
on  entering,  unsuspectingly,  to  find  the  room  illuminated, 
and  our  round  table  as  brilliantly  decorated,  as  if  the  fairies 
had  prepared  our  evening  meal !  Gleaming  through  the 
spangled  rose  -  colored  gauze  thrown  over  it,  are  pome 
granates — severed  to  show  their  crimson  hearts — and  golden 
oranges,  with  the  rind  fantastically  cut,  and  ornamented  with 
stripes  and  stars  of  gold-paper  ;  and  little  gifts  of  ornament 
al  handiwork, — napkin-rings,  watch-cases,  lamp-mats,  cro 
chet  collars,  doilies,  tidies,  etc.,  etc., — lying  beside  each  plate. 
A  transparent  jelly-like  dish  of  food — quite  new  to  us — 
stands  at  one  end,  and  a  pyramid-cake  in  the  centre,  iced, 
and  ornamented  with  a  wreath  of  flowers.  We  are  dazzled 
by  the  display,  in  commemoration  of  their  New-Year's 
Eve,  —  old  style,  —  and  are  expressing  our  surprise  and 
pleasure,  when  sounds  of  smothered  laughter  from  the 
door  causes  us  to  turn  in  that  direction,  and  we  find  the 
entire  company  gathered  to  enjoy  the  scene.  Boghos,  the 
cook,  had  been  taken,  into  the  secret,  and  through  his  aid  the 
arrangements  were  secured.  The  cake  was  his  master-piece ; 
it  was  hollow,  and  intended  to  contain  a  little  bird,  which 
was  caught  for  that  purpose.  Boghos  constituted  himself 
"  master  of  ceremonies,"  and  planned  to  cut  the  cake  at  the 
right  moment,  giving  a  signal  to  the  girls  outside,  who  should 
enter  the  room  to  offer  their  congratulations,  in  time  to  see 
it  fly  forth  from  its  frosted  prison.  But  alas  for  their  fanci 
ful  contrivance  !  When  the  cage  was  all  ready,  the  bird  had 
flown  !  It  made  its  escape  from  a  broken  pane  overlooked  in 
one  of  the  high  kitchen  windows. 

Among  the  frequent  visitors  to  our  schoolroom,  is  the 
10 


2l8  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


mother  of  B.  Hachadoor,  our  former  teacher  in  Armenian 
Grammar.  The  old  lady  learned  to  read  when  past  sixty 
years  of  age,  and  is  very  proud  of  her  acquirement.  The 
girls  always  like  to  see  her  come  in,  and  after  she  is  seated, 
hand  her  a  book,  watching  with  furtive  glances  the  proceed 
ing  which  is  sure  to  follow.  First  one  pair  of  spectacles  are 
drawn  from  the  ample  pocket,  and  carefully  adjusted,  and, 
after  a  trial, — holding  the  book  at  some  distance — another 
pair  appears,  and  mounts  above  the  others,  while  the  girls 
can  scarcely  conceal  their  evident  enjoyment  of  the  scene, 
as,  with  head  thrown  back,  and  book  held  aloft,  still  another 
trial  is  made !  When  this  proves  unsuccessful,  and  a  third 
pair  of  glasses  crowns  the  rest,  and  the  simple,  quaint  old 
body,  with  serene  countenance  is  crooning  the  now  discern 
ible  sentences  with  an  expression  of  unutterable  content, 
an  audible  smile  and  a  low  murmur  of  satisfaction  runs 
around  the  little  assembly,  in  which  the  teacher  joins,  while 
its  unconscious  object  is  wrholly  absorbed  in  her  new  and 
blessed  employment. 

Occasionally  a  Protestant  sister  brings  to  us  on  the 
"  sewing  afternoon,"  some  one  "from  without,"  whom  she 
is  trying  to  influence.  One  of  these  visitors  has  greatly 
interested  us  —  a  young  Armenian  woman  from  another 
quarter  of  the  city,  with  a  countenance  of  more  than  ordi 
nary  character,  sweetness,  and  intelligence.  Through  great 
affliction,  in  the  loss  of  her  husband  and  children,  she  had 
been  led  to  seek  for  comfort  which  she  could  not  find  in  the 
rites  and  ceremonies  of  her  own  Church.  At  that  time  God 
sent  to  her  a  Protestant  woman  of  her  own  race,  who  told  her 
of  Christ  as  "  the  Way,  the  Truth,  and  the  Life."  She  had 
teamed  to  read  a  little,  and  spent  the  afternoon  in  earnestly 


THE   TRAINING-SCHOOL.  2IQ 


poring  over  the  Testament,  spelling  out  verse  after  verse, 
with  great  relish  and  absorbing  interest.  When  she  left,  I  told 
her  that  she  might  take  the  Book  with  her,  and  make  it  the 
guide  of  her  life.  She  seemed  utterly  amazed  at  the  great 
ness  of  the  gift,  and  clasped  it  to  her  breast  as  a  priceless 
treasure. 

Such  visits  are  productive  of  far  more  good  to  our  pupils 
than  those  from  passing  travelers  and  others,  prompted  by 
mere  curiosity  or  politeness.  Injudicious  questions  are  often 
asked  and  remarks  made,  in  their  presence,  by  those  who 
little  imagine  the  impressions  conveyed  to  the  quick  ears, 
and  comprehension  which  catches  the  meaning  of  their 
words. 

"Which  is  the  cleverest  of  your  pupils?"  inquires  a 
foreign  ambassador.  "  And  do  they  think  and  talk  of  the 
beaux  like  other  girls  ?  "  asks  another  representative  of  a 
Christian  government.  And  they  must  sing  for  their  diver 
sion — "  something  national,"  if  they  have  any  songs  of  that 
stamp  (which  we  rarely  find),  and  the  conversation  that 
ensues,  even  when  not  understood,  except  by  an  intuitive 
perception  of  its  general  tenor,  often  tends  to  divert  and 
distract  the  minds  of  our  little  family,  leaving  in  some 
sensitive  and  delicate  natures  the  feeling  that  they  are  on 
exhibition  as  objects  of  common  curiosity ;  which  is  decid 
edly  detrimental  to  the  aims  that  we  cherish  in  their  Chris 
tian  nurture.  Visits  from  Secretaries  and  patrons  of  the 
Board  of  Missions,  and  those  of  like  spirit,  leave  a  totally 
different  impression. 

We  greatly  enjoyed  the  wise  counsels,  and  the  hearty  ap 
proval  and  sympathy  of  the  Senior  Secretry,  Dr.  Anderson, 
who  spent  a  night  in  our  school-home  in  his  visit  to  the  East 


220  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


not  long  since-  He  kindly  invited  me  to  write  to  him  as 
freely  and  confidentially  as  a  daughter  to  a  father,  at  all  times. 
And  though  much  has  been  said  of  his  opposition  to  schools, 
as  a  prominent  feature  of  missionary  operations,  the  message 
which  afterwards  came  from  him  at  Boston  to  the  Constan 
tinople  Station, — when  funds  were  low,  and  retrenchment 
seemed  necessary, — was  to  this  effect:  "Whatever  you  cut 
off,  keep  that  school  sustained,  and  in  full  operation."  And 
when  Secretary  Treat  had  addressed  the  school  through  the 
aid  of  an  interpreter  at  the  close  of  his  more  recent  visit,  and 
was  about  to  depart  for  America,  they  rose  to  thank  him  for 
the  words  he  had  spoken  ;  and  the  general  feeling  found 
utterance  in  the  exclamation,  "  O  let  him  stay,  and  teach  us 
always  !  "  Causing  the  tears  to  start  to  his  eyes  as  he  said, 
"  How  gladly  would  I  do  it.  We  at  the  Missionary  House 
have  all  the  drudgery,  while  you  missionaries  have  the  joy  of 
direct  work  for  souls  !  " 

Our  hearts  are  more  and  more  drawn  to  this  dear  flock. 
Truly,  "  the  lines  have  fallen  to  us  in  pleasant  places ;  we 
have  a  goodly  heritage."  Yet  the  burden  of  unrelieved  re 
sponsibility  for  all  their  interests  —  physical,  social,  and 
spiritual — by  day  and  by  night,  month  after  month,  and  year 
after  year,  is  sometimes  almost  crushing,  for  we  "watch  as 
they  that  must  give  account."  It  is  a  relief  to  find  that 
some  of  the  older  pious  girls  share  in  this  feeling.  One  of 
these  has,  of  her  own  accord,  printed  in  large  letters,  and 
hung  up  in  the  hall,  the  following  passage  of  Scripture : 
"But  1  say  unto  you,  that  every  idle  word  that  men  shall 
speak,  they  shall  give  an  account  thereof  in  the  day  of 
judgment." 

In  the  general  government  of  our  pupils,  and  the  discipline 


THE  TRAINING-SCHOOL.  221 


of  the  school-room,  we  have  less  of  "  Young  America  "  to 
contend  with  than  in  schools  at  home ;  but  the  teacher  must 
supplement  the  lack  of  early  home  and  religious  training ; 
"  precept  must  be  upon  precept,  line  upon  line  ;  here  a  little, 
and  there  a  little  ;  for  with  stammering  lips  and  another 
tongue  will  he  speak  to  this  people." 

It  is  an  oppressively  warm  Sunday  afternoon.  Careful 
and  troubled  about  many  things,  like  Martha  of  old,  I  leave 
my  room  and  go  through  the  house  to  see  how  our  pupils 
are  spending  the  sacred  hours.  The  door  of  an  upper  cham 
ber  is  open,  but  I  pause  on  the  threshold,  for  three  or  four  girls 
are  asleep  upon  their  beds.  I  am  grieved  that  they  should  thus 
squander  holy  time ;  but  noticing  an  open  Bible  in  the  hand 
of  one  of  the  sleepers,  step  gently  to  her  side,  and  find  her 
finger  resting  at  the  verse,  "  Take  heed  that  ye  despise  not 
one  of  these  little  ones  ;  for  I  say  unto  you,  that  in  heaven 
their  angels  do  always  behold  the  face  of  my  Father."  There 
is  a  whole  sermon  of  rebuke  and  comfort  for  me  in  those 
words,  and  softly  stealing  from  the  room,  I  whisper,  "  '  Sleep 
on  now,  and  take  your  rest.'  ' 


;  ^ 

v. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

TRANSFERRED. 

|Y  Beloved  has  gone  down  into  His  garden  to 
gather  lilies."  One  of  the  first  -  fruits  of  our 
Garden  on  the  Golden  Horn  to  be  transplanted 
to  that  Paradise  u  where  angels  walk,  and  seraphs  are  the 
wardens,"  was  Iskoohi,  the  wife  of  preacher  Hohannes, 
formerly  of  Bardezag. 

She  was  brought  home  to  her  native  city  to  die,  in  the 
summer  of  1861 ;  and  during  one  of  my  visits  to  Nicomedia, 
I  stood  beside  her  as  the  end  approached,  and  saw  the 
triumph  of  her  faith  in  view  of  death. 

She  was  lying  upon  a  low  couch,  wasted  by  that  slow, 
lingering  consumption  so  distressing  to  witness,  and  so 
deceitful  in  its  progress.  Her  eyes  were  closed,  as  if  in 
sleep ;  but  when  she  opened  them,  and  saw  me,  a  smile 
played  over  her  wan  features,  and  grasping  my  hand,  she 
said,  with  husky  voice,  "  O  my  dear  teacher ;  how  I  have 
wanted  to  see  you  !  "  In  broken  utterances,  she  told  me  that 
her  soul  was  filled  with  peace  ;  there  was  no  fear  of  death, 
for  Christ  had  taken  away  the  sting.  I  asked  if  she  could 
say  with  the  Psalmist :  "  Though  I  walk  through  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil  ;  for  Thou  art  with 
me:"  and  she  replied,  "  O,  yes!  He  ts  with  me;  I  cannot 

(222} 


TRANSFERRED.  223 


fear."  I  inquired  how  her  past  life  appeared,  and  she  said 
it  seemed  all  vain  and  empty.  "  And  your  good  works,  do 
you  place  any  reliance  upon  them  ?  "  "  No,  oh  no  !  "  she 
whispered,  "  my  hopes  are  all  founded  on  Christ."  "  What 
word  shall  I  give  to  your  former  companions,  your  sisters  in 
Christ?  "  "  Tell  them,''  she  said,  with  emphasis,  raising  her 
head  from  her  pillow,  "  tell  them  to  labor  first  for  their  own 
souls,  and  next  for  the  souls  of  others ;  there  is  nothing  else 
worth  living  for !  "  and  with  a  deep  sigh,  she  added,  "  Ofc, 
I  did  desire  to  work  for  Christ  in  Bilijuk!  but  my  little 
children,  and  sickness  prevented."  "  What  do  you  desire 
for  your  only  remaining  child  ?"  "That  he  may  live  to 
preach  Christ;  that  is  my  prayer  for  him !  "  Before  leaving, 
I  sang  for  her  a  verse  or  two  of  the  new  song,  "  Come,  sing 
to  me  of  heaven ;"  with  which  she  was  much  pleased,  and 
bade  me  a  tender  farewell,  again  and  again  expressing  the 
deepest  gratitude  for  all  she  had  received  from  the  "  Ameri 
can  Board  Society"  in  connection  with  the  school. 

Early  the  next  morning,  word  came  that  Iskoohi  had  gone 
where  "  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary  are 
at  rest."  Her  husband  was  absent,  attending  a  council  of 
Protestant  Armenian  ministers,  which  held  some  of  its  ses 
sions  in  Bardezag.  He  hesitated  about  leaving  her,  but  she 
said,  "  Go,  do  not  stay  on  my  account !  " 

I  found  the  body  laid  out  on  the  floor,  according  to 
Eastern  custom.  The  best  dress  of  the  deceased  was  spread 
over  her  person,  and  her  head  was  attired  as  usual. 

The  mother  and  grandmother  sat  at  the  head  of  the  low 
couch,  rocking  back  and  forth  in  their  grief,  and  gazing  upon 
the  face  of  the  departed  with  distressed  countenances  and 
low  moans.  A  number  of  women  were  grouped  on  either 


224  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


side ;  they  had  come,  like  the  friends  of  Job,  to  mourn  with 
and  comfort  the  afflicted ;  and  like  them,  they  "  spake  not  a 
word."  The  silence  was  very  impressive  ;  but  after  a  little 
sympathetic  waiting,  I  tried  to  improve  the  moments  in 
turning  their  thoughts  away  from  the  poor  earthly  taber 
nacle,  to  the  "  house  not  made  with  hands  eternal  in  the 
heavens:"  Read  again  that  precious  fourteenth  chapter  of 
John,  and  realized  afresh  the  inexpressible  blessedness  and 
sweetness  of  work  for  Jesus ! 

When  I  called  a  second  time,  B.  Hohannes  had  returned. 
He  seemed  deeply  afflicted,  yet  comforted  :  Said  that  God 
had  visited  him  three  times  in  six  months ;  two  little  chil 
dren  went  before  the  mother.  Speaking  of  his  departed 
companion,  he  said :  "  She  was  a  good  wife,  and  we  were 
very  happy  together.  I  can  say  of  her  that  she  was  a  living, 
growing  Christian  ;  she  was  truly  a  helpmeet  in  my  work ; 
often  when  I  was  depressed,  she  encouraged  and  cheered 
me.  Patience  and  self-denial  were  among  her  most  promi 
nent  traits  of  character.  She  had  many  trials  during  her 
married  life;  poor  health,  a  number  of  little  children  to  care 
for,  and  little  or  no  help.  But  she  never  murmured,  or  re 
pined  at  the  allotments  of  Providence;  she  was  willing  to 
live  where  her  husband  could  be  most  useful  in  the  Lord's 
work.  When  consumption  fastened  upon  her  frame,  I 
thought  it  might  make  her  irritable,  as  I  had  heard  of  others 
being  thus  affected  by  it ;  but  it  made  no  difference.  She 
bore  all  her  sufferings  sweetly,  never  giving  way  to  impatience, 
or  complaining.  She  rejoiced  that  her  two  children  were 
taken  before  her,  saying,  what  a  kind  Providence  it  was  that 
they  were  not  left  for  me  to  care  for  when  she  was  gone. 
That  touched  my  heart ;  that  she  should  think  of  my  com- 


TRANSFERRED. 


fort  after  she  should  be  gone !  I  bless  God  that  he  gave  me 
such  a  companion.  Her  last  words  of  advice  to  me  were, 
1  PREACH  CHRIST!  preach  fervently,  and  with  few  words; 
that  is  the  way  to  win  souls,  and  I  believe  that  it  is  the 
Lord's  appointed  way  !'  " 

The  funeral  service  took  place  at  the  house,  and  was  attended 
by  all  the  pastors  comprising  the  council,  besides  a  crowd  of 
Protestants  and  Armenians.  Pastor  Simon,  of  Pera,  preached 
a  sermon  from  the  words,  "O  grave,  where  is  thy  victory? 
O  death,  where  is  thy  sting  ?  " 

WAILING  FOR    THE  DEAD. 

A  painful  scene  occurred  when  the  body  was  removed ; 
the  Armenian  relatives,  women  who  still  adhered  to  their  old 
ideas  and  customs,  gave  way  to  distressing  demonstrations 
of  grief;  wildly  throwing  themselves  upon  the  corpse,  shriek 
ing,  beating  their  breasts,  crying  out  for  her  to  come 
back,  uttering  the  most  doleful  lamentations ;  and  it  was 
noticeable  that  those  were  most  profuse  in  their  outcries, 
and  display  of  grief,  who  had  shown  the  least  love  and  care 
for  their  relative  when  she  was  living !  It  was  custom,  as 
tyranical  as  fashion,  in  other  lands,  that  compelled  this 
outward  exhibition  of  a  sorrow  which  in  many  cases  was 
very  little  felt. 

A  friend  once  dropped  in  unexpectedly  upon  a  family 
where  the  "  mourning  women,"  and  especially  the  young 
wife  of  the  deceased,  had  given  way  to  the  most  extravagant 
expressions  of  grief,  when  the  dead  was  carried  forth,  but  a 
few  hours  before.  To  her  surprise,  she  found  them  all-  as 
merry  as  though  nothing  had  happened,  and  the  wife,  happily 
relieved  of  her  unloved  and  unmerciful  tyrant,  was  at  ease, 
10* 


226  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


evidently  enjoying  her  supper,  and  laughing  with  the  rest. 
But,  on  seeing  the  visitor,  she  set  up  a  most  unearthly  howl 
ing,  and  went  into  fearful  paroxysms  and  contortions  of 
her  physical  frame.  Some  of  the  younger  widows  make 
themselves  almost  bald,  at  such  times,  tearing  out  their  hair 
by  handfuls,  and  casting  it  from  the  upper  windows  into  the 
streets  below,  when  the  bier  is  born  from  the  house.  It  is  a 
costly,  and  often  an  unwilling  sacrifice,  for  the  women  of  the 
East,  whose  hair  is  so  great  an  ornament  and  glory.  "  But 
we  must  do  it !  All  the  neighbors  would  talk  about  us,  and 
reproach  us  if  we  did  not  show  this  honor  to  our  dead,"  said 
a  woman  with  whom  I  once  argued  the  foolishness  of  the 
practice. 

The  same  custom  was  observed  in  the  time  of  the  prophet 
Jeremiah.  "  Neither  shall  men  lament  for  them,  nor  cut 
themselves,  nor  make  themselves  bald  for  them.  Neither 
shall  men  tear  themselves  for  them  in  mourning  to  comfort 
them  for  the  dead." 

Perhaps  there  is  no  sorrow  so  real  and  so  deep  to  an  Ori 
ental,  as  the  death  of  an  only  son.  To  this  the  prophet 
alludes :  "  They  shall  mourn  for  him  as  one  mourneth  for 
his  only  son,  and  shall  be  in  bitterness  for  him  as  one  that 
is  in  bitterness  for  his  first-born."  This  grief  would  be 
greatly  intensified  in  the  case  of  a  widow,  because  her 
house  would  be  "  left  unto  her  desolate,"  i.e.,  without  a  head  ; 
as  in  the  case  of  Naomi,  who  said,  "  Call  me  Mara — bitter — 
for  the  Lord  hath  dealt  very  bitterly  with  me."  And  also 
the  widow  of  Nain,  whose  real  sorrow  and  utter  desola 
tion  touched  the  compassionate  heart  of  the  Savior,  and  He 
said  to  her,  "  Weep  not !" 


TRANSFERRED.  22/ 


How  doth  Death  speak  of  cur  beloved. 

When  it  hath  laid  them  low  ; 
AVhen  it  has  set  its  hallowing  touch 

On  speechless  lip  and  brow? 

It  clothes  their  every  gift  and  grace, 
With  radiance  from  the  holiest  place  ; 
With  light  as  from  an  angel's  face. 

Recalling  with  resistless  force 
And  tracing  to  their  hidden  source, 
Deeds  scarcely  noticed  in  their  course. 

It  shows  our  faults  like  fires  at  night ; 
It  sweeps  their  failings  out  of  sight, 
It  clothes  their  good  in  heavenly  light. 

It  takes  each  failing  on  our  part, 
And  brands  it  in  upon  the  heart 
With  caustic  power,  and  cruel  art. 

Thus  doth  Death  speak  of  our  beloved 

When  it  has  laid  them  low  : 
Then  let  Love  antedate  the  work  of  Death, 

And  do  this  now  !  "  * 


ISKOOHFS  LIFE, 

Iskoohi  was  a  tall,  slender,  dark-eyed,  dark-complexioned, 
and  rather  plain-looking  yet  interesting  girl  of  fourteen  years 
when  I  first  saw  her.  She  had  been  for  some  months  absent 
from  the  school  on  account  of  ill-health,  and  when  I  asked 
her  why  she  returned,  she  said,  "  There  are  many  villages 
around  Nicomedia  where  the  women  are  very  ignorant,  and 
I  wish  to  learn  that  I  may  go  and  teach  them." 

After  completing  her  four  years'  course  of  study,  she  was 
for  one  year  an  assistant  teacher  in  the  school ;  and  her  con 
duct  in  every  relation  she  sustained  to  us,  was  such  as  greatly 


*  Mrs.  Charles. 


228  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

to  endear  her  to  our  hearts,  and  confirm  our  conviction  of 
her  Christian  character.  Her  piety,  conscientiousness,  and 
maturity  made  her  an  invaluable  helper  in  training  the 
daughters  of  her  own  people ;  and  her  removal  from  the 
school  was  a  loss  which  was  never  repaired ;  it  brought  ad 
ditional  cares  and  burdens  upon  the  teacher  who  was  already 
overburdened  with  work  in  a  strange  tongue,  and  a  foreign 
clime,  and  hastened  an  inevitable  break-down  of  health. 
But  the  penalty  was  involved  in  the  very  success  of  the 
work.  Just  as  an  Armenian  maiden  who  had  the  necessary 
qualifications,  was  fitted  for  the  post  of  assistant  pupil,  or 
teacher,  die  was  snatched  up  by  some  eager  young  preacher, 
and  we  were  again  left  in  the  lurch  ! 

I  saw  Iskoohi  but  once  in  the  home  where  she  presided 
as  the  village  preacher's  wife.  It  was  exceedingly  plain  and 
simple,  yet  neat  in  all  its  surroundings ;  she  never  aped  the 
European  style  of  living,  but  conformed  to  the  customs  of 
her  own  people  in  so  fur  as  they  were  not  harmful ;  thus 
keeping  herself  in  sympathy  with  them,  and  by  her  example, 
securing  an  influence  which  greatly  helped  her  husband's 
ministry.  Two  years  after  she  had  "  entered  into  rest," 
when  B.  Hohannes  was  laboring  on  alone,  without  wife 
or  home,  he  referred,  with  feeling,  to  Iskoohi's  simplicity  of 
taste,  and  the  frugality  and  prudence,  which  had  enabled 
him  to  live  without  the  pecuniary  pressure  he  would  other 
wise  have  experienced ;  and  told  how  much  she  had  aided 
him  by  her  prayers  and  counsels,  when  unable  to  share  his 
active  labors  among  the  people.  The  increasing  patience 
and  sweet  submission  manifested  by  her,  in  those  last  months 
of  life,  when  the  people  of  Bilijuk  watched  to  see  the  spirit 
fail,  as  the  flesh  decayed,  had  left  an  abiding  impression 


TRANSFERRED.  22Q 


upon  their  hearts,  and  was  still,  he  thought,  bringing  forth 
fruit. 

"  Favor  is  deceitful,  and  beauty  is  vain  ;  but  a  woman  that 
feareth  the  Lord,  she  shall  be  praised." 

MARIAM. 

The  second  promotion  was  that  of  Mariam  a  dear  pious 
disciple,  who  died  the  same  year,  among  her  kindred,  in 
her  native  village  of  Bilijuk,  near  Broosa.  No  one  who 
saw  Mariam  on  her  arrival,  and  introduction  to  the  school, 
can  ever  forget  the  beaming  of  her  bright  eyes,  and  the  joy 
that  illumined  her  dark  but  expressive  face.  Nor  the  sorrow 
too  deep  for  words,  which  caused  the  big  tear-drops  to  fall, 
when  a  few  months  later,  that  fearful  word  "  retrench"  came 
from  the  "Missionary  House"  at  home;  and  like  a  mother 
called  to  part  with  some  of  her  darlings,  we  looked  to  see 
where  the  knife  should  be  applied ;  who  of  our  flock  should  be 
sent  away!  And  the  gentle,  modest  girl  had  no  question  in 
her  own  mind  but  that  she  was  to  be  one  of  the  number. 
But  could  the  door  be  closed  ?  For  three  long  years  she  had 
prayed,  and  watched,  and  waited  for  the  way  to  be  opened 
that  she  might  come  and  be  trained  as  a  worker  for  Christ ! 
And  then  God  sent  a  missionary,  who  found  this  plant  of 
promise,  in  the  wilderness,  and  her  faith  was  rewarded. 

Mariam's  father  was  a  poor  cobbler,  but  he  had  somehow 
learned  to  read.  He  received  his  first  knowledge  of  the 
truth  through  the  instrumentality  of  a  chance  laborer  in  the 
Master's  vineyard — a  Protestant,  who  afterward  "  fell  out  by 
the  way."  A  copy  of  the  New  Testament  proved  a  "  pearl 
of  great  price"  in  that  humble  home.  Mariam  was  the 
eldest  child,  and  joined  her  father  in  reading  and  praying, 


230  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


notwithstanding  the  opposition  of  her  mother.  Her  simple 
stories  of  those  days,  and  the  pictures  she  drew  of  the  father 
hiding  away  in  some  secluded  corner  to  pray  with  his  chil 
dren,  and  talk  to  them  of  God's  Word,  undisturbed  by  the 
mother,  were  very  touching.  She  was  one  of  those  who 
"  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness,"  and  it  was  a  delight 
ful  task  to  break  for  her  "  the  bread  of  life." 

But  consumption  set  its  seal  upon  Mariam,  during  her 
second  year  of  study.  After  many  vain  struggles  to  resist 
the  inroads  of  disease,  she  was  forced  to  abandon  the  con 
test.  This  was  a  severe  trial,  not  only  to  herself,  but  to  us 
who  expected  her  to  become  a  bright  and  shining  light 
among  her  people ;  but  again  were  we  taught  that  "  God's 
thoughts  are  not  our  thoughts."  After  the  entire  failure  of 
her  health,  Mariam  remained  with  us  during  a  few  winter 
months;  till  the  opening  of  spring  rendered  it  safe  for  her  to 
be  taken  home.  Her  piety  shone  forth  with  a  brighter  lustre, 
day  by  day,  and  her  presence  in  our  dwelling  was  a  blessing 
to  its  inmates.  Her  little  room  often  seemed  to  me  the  very 
gate  of  heaven,  as  I  discoursed  with  the  dear  child  concern 
ing  the  "Better  Land,"  the  society  she  would  there  enjoy, 
and  the  work  and  worship  upon  which  she  would  enter.  It 
was  very  pleasant  to  note  her  conscientiousness  in  regard  to 
the  funds  of  the  Missionary  Society  used  for  her  support 
and  for  medical  attendance.  She  mourned  that  the  "Lord's 
money  "  should  be  spent  for  her,  when  she  could  no  longer 
hope  to  work  in  His  vineyard.  It  was  her  heart's  desire, 
and  earnest  prayer  that,  if  consistent  with  the  Divine  will, 
she  might  return  to  her  home,  and  lead  some  precious  souls 
to  Christ,  before  her  life  on  earth  was  ended.  Contrary  to 
our  expectations,  that  prayer  was  answered.  Her  father 


TRANSFERRED.  231 


came  for  her  in  March,  and  with  many  tears — that  we  should 
see  her  face  no  more — school-mates  and  teachers  gathered 
for  the  last  word  and  look,  and  watched  the  frail  figure  of 
the  beloved  sufferer,  as  she  disappeared  down  the  hillside, 
carefully  borne  upon  the  father's  back  to  the  boat  by  the 
seashore.  After  recovering  from  the  fatigue  of  the  three 
days'  travel,  her  strength  seemed  renewed  by  the  change. 

From  preacher  Hohannes  we  heard,  from  time  to  time, 
that  the  promise — "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee ;  for  my 
strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness  " — seemed  fully  verified 
in  Mariam's  case.  Her  father's  house  being  old  and  un 
comfortable,  she  was  removed  to  the  "  chapel-house,"  where 
many  of  her  former  companions  and  friends  visited  her, 
and  heard  from  her  lips  of  Christ,  as  "  the  only  way 
of  salvation."  She  could  not  speak  long  without  ex 
haustion,  but  her  words,  though  few,  were  well  chosen, 
and  came  with  greater  power  from  one  standing  on  the 
brink  of  eternity. 

Preacher  Hohannes  wrote  that  he  often  found  quite  a 
company  of  women  and  girls  collected  in  Mariam's  room, 
and  was  able  to  carry  on  the  work  she  had  begun  among 
those  whom  he  had  hitherto  been  unable  to  reach.  A  work 
of  grace  seemed  commenced  in  the  heart  of  her  sister,  a 
girl  of  sixteen  years,  and  the  voice  of  praise  and  prayer 
often  ascended  from  that  sick  room.  At  the  close  of  every 
letter,  there  was  some  sweet  message  from  the  dear  suffering 
disciple,  who  seemed  to  be  indeed  a  "  chosen  vessel  of 
mercy"  to  many  souls  in  her  native  place.  Her  repeated 
expressions  of  gratitude  for  favors  conferred  upon  her  while 
a  member  of  the  school,  were  most  sincere  and  affecting. 

In  July,  the  last  letter  was  received,  telling  us  that  she 


232  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


had  left  the  lower  for  the  upper  sanctuary ;  "  absent  from 
the  body,  and  present  with  the  Lord  "  she  so  much  loved. 

Her  end  was  peace.  A  little  before  her  death  she  dictated 
a  farewell  letter  to  her  teachers,  again  expressing  her  great 
gratitude  and  affection  ;  and  her  last  message  to  me  was — 
"  /  will  wait  to  meet  you  at  heaven  s  gate  !  " 

VARTOHI  HANUM. 

There  was  much  sickness  and  suffering  in  the  Protestant 
community  during  that  year,  and  our  pupils  frequently  ac 
companied  us  in  our  visits  among  the  families  of  Hasskeuy, 
learning  lessons  of  life  not  easily  forgotten. 

One  of  the  older  sisters  of  our  little  church, — the  mother 
of  one  who  was  for  a  brief  season  in  our  school, — went  down 
into  the  "  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,"  singing,  "  I  will 
fear  no  evil,  for  Thou  art  with  me." 

Her  sick  room  was  a  "  CHAMBER  OF  PEACE  " — a  hallowed 
place.  Though  suffering  intensely  from  an  internal  cancer, 
which  was  slowly,  but  surely,  eating  out  her  life,  her  face 
beamed  with  holy  joy  at  every  mention  of  her  Savior;  she 
longed  to  depart,  and  be  with  Him.  Said  a  Protestant  wo 
man,  who  knew  nothing  of  the  love  of  Christ,  "  You  are 
willing  to  go,  but  you  would  rather  stay  awhile  longer,  for 
the  sake  of  your  son  and  daughter."  "  Oh,  no  !  "  she  replied 
with  great  earnestness,  "  I  long  to  be  with  my  Savior.  I 
would  not  stay  if  I  could.  He  will  care  for  my  children, 
and  soon  we  shall  meet  above,  to  part  no  more  forever."  She 
spoke  of  herself  as  entirely  unworthy ;  said  her  "  sins  rose  up 
like  mountains,"  but  the  blood  of  Christ  was  sufficient 
to  atone  for  them  all,  and  that,  according  to  His  Word, 
He  would  "  present  her  faultless,  unblameable,  and 


TRANSFERRED.  233 


unreproveable,  before  the  throne."  Her  Bible  and  hymn- 
book  were  always  by  her  side,  and  she  often  asked  us 
to  sing  some  of  the  sweet  songs  of  Zion — frequently  select 
ing  "  My  faith  looks  up  to  Thee  ;  "  and,  "  When  all  Thy 
mercies,  O  my  God ;  " — joining  her  voice  with  ours  in  fervent 
devotion.  It  was  a  touching  scene  : — the  clasped  hands  and 
closed  eyes  of  the  sufferer,  and  the  song  of  praise  welling 
up  from  a  renewed  heart,  which  felt  that  eternity  would  be 
"too  short  to  utter  all  His  praise."  She  was  one  of  Dr. 
Goodell's  spiritual  children,  and  often  longed  to  hear,  once 
more,  "  one  of  his  sweet  prayers ;  "  but  he  was  absent  in 
Syria  during  the  close  of  her  earthly  pilgrimage.  The  last 
time  a  company  of  our  school  girls  went  down  to  her  home, 
this  dear  mother  in  our  little  "  Israel  "  was  nearing  the 
dark  river  ;  her  feet  had  touched  its  brink,  but  all  was  peace. 
Not  a  cloud  disturbed  the  fair,  placid  countenance  upon 
which  we  always  loved  to  look.  Standing  around  the 
death-bed,  we  sang  at  her  request,  the  hymn,  fi  Come,  sing 
to  me  of  heaven," — recently  translated  by  Dr.  Riggs. 

When  we  next  entered  that  room,  the  lifeless  form  was 
robed  for  the  grave.  But  an  involuntary  exclamation  of 
surprise  escaped  from  every  lip,  as  we  looked  upon  the 
countenance  of  our  departed  friend.  Such  a  smile  we  had 
never  seen  upon  the  face  of  Death  !  The  grey  hair  was 
brushed  smoothly  back  from  the  brow  which  Time  had  but 
slightly  furrowed;  the  head  was  covered  by  a  neat  mus 
lin  cap,  and  the  form  simply  attired  in  a  white  gown. 
Pure  white  lilies,  and  other  fragrant  flowers,  were  strewn 
upon  the  pillow,  and  around  the  beloved  Bible,  which  was 
placed  upon  her  breast  beside  the  folded  hands  : — These 
chaste  and  affecting  arrangements  were  all  made  without 


234  TIIE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


any  suggestion  or  assistance  from  us.  Many  of  the 
people  came  to  look  upon  the  beautiful  picture,  so  new 
to  them  :  the  ''  king  of  terrors  "  conquered  !  The  scene  was 
in  itself  a  sermon.  There  was  none  of  the  customary  wail 
ing,  or  loud  cries  of  lamentation  over  the  dead — no  mourn 
ers  from  without,  sitting  in  speechless  silence  around  the 
lifeless  form,  after  the  fashion  of  Job's  friends,  which  we  had 
so  often  witnessed,  but  chastened  grief,  as  the  son  and 
daughter  told  us  that  they  "  placed  her  precious  Bible  upon 
her  breast,  because  mother  never  could  be  long  without  ///" 
And  once,  when  her  spectacles  were  lost,  she  mourned  that  she 
could  no  more  read  its  blessed  pages,  and  gave  her  son  no 
rest  till  he  procured  another  pair. 

TIIE  FUNERAL. 

Several  of  the  missionaries  were  away  at  other  stations, 
and  none  but  ourselves  were  able  to  be  present  at  the  fune 
ral.  Pastor  Simon  conducted  the  services.  Many  Armenians 
belonging  to  the  "  Old  Church  "  were  in  attendance  at  the 
house,  where  a  brief  and  very  appropriate  discourse  was 
given.  And  many  others  of  various  nationalities  assembled 
to  witness  the  service  at  the  grave.  The  plain  coffin  was 
simply  covered  with  black  cloth,  and  borne  by  devout  men, 
Pastor  Simon  slowly  walking  in  advance,  bearing  a  large 
Bible  as  his  insignia,  or  badge  of  office ;  and  a  company  of 
friends  followed  after,  whose  measured  steps,  and  solemn, 
subdued  countenances  were  in  harmony  with  the  occasion. 
When  all  had  quietly  gathered  around  the  open  grave,  the 
preacher  read  those  sublime  words  of  Christ :  "  I  am  the 
resurrection  and  the  life  ;  he  that  believeth  on  me,  though  he 
were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live :  And  whosoever  liveth  and 


TRANSFERRED.  235 


believeth  on  me,  shall  never  die."  Then  he  turned  to  that 
magnificent  choral  in  Corinthians :  "  Now  is  Christ  risen 
from  the  dead,  and  become  the  first  fruits  of  them  that 
slept;"  ending  with  the  triumphal  refrain,  "  O  death,  where 
is  thy  sting  ?  O  grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ?"  A  few  im 
pressive  words  to  the  bystanders  concerning  "  the  blessed 
hope  in  which  we  commit  the  body  of  this  our  beloved  sis 
ter  to  the  earth,"  then,  "ashes  to  ashes,  and  dust  to  dust,"  as 
the  coffin  was  gently  lowered  to  its  resting-place,  and  a 
handful  of  earth  thrown  upon  it.  A  solemn  prayer,  ending 
with  the  benediction,  during  which  the  Protestants  stood 
with  uncovered  heads,  and  the  people  dispersed  as  quietly 
as  they  had  come.  This  solemn  sowing  in  "  God's  Acre," 
with  undoubting  faith  in  a  resurrection-harvest  of  glorious 
immortality,  through  Him  who  "  hath  abolished  death,  and 
brought  life  and  immortality  to  light  through  the  Gospel," 
cannot  fail  to  impress  the  Oriental  mind,  so  easily  moved  by 
object-lessons ;  and  may  prove  the  seed  of  a  new  spiritual 
life  to  many  souls. 

A  few  days  after  the  funeral  of  Vartohi  Han  urn,  I  was 
startled  by  loud  cries  proceeding  from  a  Greek  house 
in  our  neighborhood,  and  throwing  open  the  window  to 
ascertain  the  cause,  saw  a  middle-aged  woman  whose  hus 
band  had  died  but  a  few  hours  previously,  leaning  from  the 
open  casement  of  the  upper  story,  and  loudly  calling  upon 
the  dead  to  come  back,  while  she  tore  out  her  hair  by  hand- 
fuls,  and  threw  it  upon  the  pavement  below,  beating  her 
breast,  and  wailing,  according  to  the  Eastern  custom.  The 
dead  was  being  borne  over  the  threshold,  lying  upon  an  open 
bier,  and  dressed  in  holiday  attire,  with  a  chaplet  of  flowers 
forming  an  arch  above  the  ghastly  face ;  and  a  procession  of 


236  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


black-robed  priests,  bearing  the  uplifted  cross,  and  church 
banners,  with  a  train  of  boys  carrying  tapers,  and  chanting 
responsively,  in  monotonous  tones,  followed;  while  a  few 
of  the  higher  dignitaries  of  the  church,  whose  gilded  mitres 
and  embroidered  vestments  added  to  the  display,  showed 
the  honor  paid  to  the  departed,  and — the  property  which 
could  pay  for  it !  The  piercing  cries  and  lamentations  made 
by  the  women  of  the  household  did  not  cease  till  the  proces 
sion  had  passed  out  of  sight.  A  rude  rabble  joined  the 
funereal  train,  and  their  pace  quickened  almost  to  a  run,  as 
they  passed  from  street  to  street,  mingling  loud  talk  and 
unseemly  laughter  as  they  approached  the  place  of  burial. 
The  dead  was  partially  disrobed,  wrapped  in  a  "  winding 
sheet,"  and  laid  in  the  shallow  grave,  without  even  a  board 
to  cover  from  the  falling  earth.  The  coarse  jesting  and 
laughing  went  on  amid  the  rapid  reading  and  chanting  of 
the  priests  and  boys,  and  the  unmeaning  rites  which  ended 
the  burial  service ;  when  all  alike  hurried  away,  without  the 
slightest  appearance  of  solemnity. 

Calling  one  day  upon  some  of  the  Protestant  Armenian 
families  in  Stamboul,  I  was  led  to  speak  of  the  striking  con 
trast  presented  by  these  two  funerals  in  our  neighborhood, 
when  one  of  the  sisters  said  :  "  Ah  !  we  were  once  like  those 
poor  Greek  women.  The  grave  was  all  dark,  death  was  a 
fearful  leap, — we  knew  not  whither  !  But  now,  praise  to  the 
Lord,  there  is  light  shed  all  over  it !  We  can  never 
enough  thank  the  missionaries  for  bringing  it  to  us.  When 
our  dear  ones  *  die  in  the  Lord,'  we  have  the  joyful  hope  of 
meeting  them  again." 


TRANSFERRED.  237 


HAJI   HA  TOON. 

There  was  a  quaint  old  house  in  Stamboul,  belonging  to 
the  well-known  and  honored  Peshtimaljian  family,  which 
possessed  a  peculiar  charm  for  me  in  my  occasional  visits 
during  the  school  holidays.  It  had  evidently  been  a  grand 
konak  in  olden  times,  before  the  family  were  reduced  in 
numbers  and  prosperity ;  now,  many  of  the  larger  rooms 
were  unused,  and  a  kind  of  ghostly  stillness  and  gloomy 
shade  gathered  around  neglected  corridors  and  empty  halls. 
Indeed,  the  whole  building  was  dark  with  age,  and  curious 
with  ancient  carving ;  and  fancy  could  people  its  deep 
shadows  with  an  endless  variety  of  characters  and  scenes. 
The  only  relic  of  the  past  generation  in  the  household  was 
the  venerable  Haji  Hatoon — pilgrim-mother — so  called  be 
cause  of  a  pilgrimage  to  Jerusalem.  There  was  a  certain 
stateliness  in  her  tall,  thin  person,  even  in  extreme  old  age, 
which  showed  tKe  rank  to  which  she  belonged,  and  I  was 
exceedingly  interested  in  her  religious  history.  Her  husband 
was  one  of  the  early  enlightened,  and  a  pillar  of  the  "  new 
faith,"  until  his  untimely  death.  But  Haji  Hatoon  was  bit 
terly  opposed  to  the  "  doctrines  of  the  Protestants."  It  was 
long  after  her  daughters  had  accepted  the  truth,  before  she 
would  listen  to  them ;  she  even  shut  her  heart  against  her 
children,  and  refused  to  see  them,  or  have  any  intercourse, 
till  one  of  her  married  daughters  was  suddenly  taken  very 
ill,  and  then  her  mother-love  prevailed,  and  she  went  to  care 
for  her.  Her  couch  was  spread  so  near,  at  night,  that  she 
could  not  help  hearing  the  fervent  prayer  that  ascended 
from  the  sufferer's  heart  and  lips,  and  the  sweet  and  sooth 
ing  words  of  our  Savior,  which  were  frequently  read  to 


238  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


her.  At  first  she  stopped  her  ears ;  then,  by  degrees 
began  to  listen — Avhile  the  daughter's  soul  was  con 
stantly  sending  up  the  prayer  of  faith — till,  at  last,  the  proud 
and  rebellious  heart  of  the  mother  melted,  and  she  yielded 
to  the  workings  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

It  appeared,  from  what  these  women  told  me  of  their 
former  state,  that  they  were  more  enlightened  than  most  of 
their  neighbors ;  their  father  was  a  celebrated  teacher,  and 
they  had  learned  to  read ;  and  frequently  pored  over  the 
Psalms  of  David — held  in  great  repute  among  the  zealous  ones 
of  the  Old  Church  ;  but  being  written  in  the  ancient  language, 
they  gleaned  only  here  and  there  a  word  which  was  to  them 
intelligible  : — It  had,  however,  "  a  sacred  sound  !  " 

They  were  constant  in  their  attendance  upon  the  services 
of  the  church,  and  considered  themselves  very  religious  in 
those  days.  Still,  there  was  ever  an  aching  void  within : 
Conscience  was  awake,  but  not  pacified.  In  vain  they 
mourned  over  and  confessed  their  sins,  receiving  absolution 
according  to  the  rites  of  their  Church  ;  the  burden  still  re 
mained  ;  Christ,  as  the  only  way  of  salvation,  was  not  made 
known  to  them  till  the  "glad  tidings"  came  from  the  "new 
world  !" — "How  shall  they  believe  in  Him  of  whom  they  hare 
not  heard '?"  Such  instances  are  very  rare  among  Armenian 
women.  Those  who  have  labored  longest,  and  had  the 
widest  experience  among  the  nominal  Christians  of  Turkey, 
confess  that  they  have  found  but  very  few — perhaps  half-a- 
dozen  persons  in  all — who  lived  up  to  the  little  light  they  had, 
and  gave  such  evidence  of  true  piety,  that  one  could  scarce 
ly  doubt  that,  though  "seeing  through  a  glass  darkly,"  they 
yet  exercised  "saving  faith."  To  such  devout  souls,  the 
coming  of  the  American  missionaries,  with  a  commission  from 


TRANSFERRED.  239 


Christ  to  "  OPEN  THE  BOOK,  and  LOOSE  THE  SEALS  THEREOF," 
was  like  the  advent  of  the  infant  Jesus  to  aged  Simeon,  and 
Anna,  the  prophetess,  who  were  "  waiting  for  the  consola 
tion  of  Israel !" 

When  verging  towards  her  ninetieth  year,  Haji  Hatoon 
could  not  be  persuaded  to  relinquish  the  privilege  of  attend 
ing  the  "  sunrise  prayer-meeting "  held  in  the  chapel,  at 
some  distance  from  her  house.  It  brought  the  tears  to  one's 
eyes,  to  see  that  aged  "  pilgrim-mother  "  tottering  over  the 
rough  pavement,  at  the  dawn  of  day,  often  pausing  by  the 
wayside  to  rest  her  feeble  limbs.  .  As  her  weakness  in 
creased  with  advancing  years,  she  could  no  longer  "  go  rp 
to  the  house  of  the  Lord,"  and  worship  with  His  people ; 
and  evening  meetings  weie  frequently  appointed  at  her 
house  by  Dr.  Dwight,  who  opened  the  work  in  the  Old  City 
— and  for  some  years  his  family  lived  alone  amid  Moslem 
neighbors  where  once  it  was  death  for  a  foreigner  to  enter. 

Whenever  I  was  present  at  these  neighborhood  gather 
ings,  the  original  and  spicy  remarks  of  the  old  lady  never 
failed  to  attract  and  interest — in  the  social  conversation  which 
preceded  and  followed  the  season  of  prayer  and  exposition 
of  Scripture.  The  light  which  waned  and  flickered  in  its 
socket,  now  and  then  surprised  us  with  a  sudden  glow  and 
sparkle,  which  told  how  strong  a  spirit  had  been  hers.  But 
it  sometimes  chafed  under  the  limitations  of  the  decaying 
frame.  "Aman,  aman  !"*  said  the  venerable  disciple,  on 
one  occasion.  "  You  all  have  your  cross  to  carry,  but  me, 
poor  me;  here  am  I, laid  aside  as  entirely  unworthy  to  serve 
or  honor  my  Savior!"  "Hush,  hush,  mother  !"  said  one, 


*  A  common  Turkish  ejaculation,  equivalent  to  Alas !    or  O  dear  ! 


240  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


'*  have  you  forgotten  what  Christ  said  about  '  Whosoever 
shall  do  the  will  of  my  Father  in  heaven  ?'  and  don't  you 
think  your  cross  is  to  lie  still,  and  not  fret,  and  honor  the 
Master  by  holding  up  the  banner  of  patience,  and  love,  and 
unceasing  prayer?"  This  proved  a  word  in  season;  and 
Haji  Hatoon  appeared  to  grow  in  the  gentler  graces  which 
are  of  "  great  price  in  the  sight  of  God."  In  due  time  she 
was  gathered  to  her  fathers,  as  a  "  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe," 
and  as  she  left  no  son,  her  eldest  daughter  took  her  place  as 
the  chief  representative  of  the  family. 

GOISINE  IIANUM. 

This  interesting  woman,  the  daughter  of  Haji  Hatoon, 
came  to  the  kingdom — as  the  head  of  a  large  household — a 
widow,  in  middle  life.  She  was  possessed  of  a  strength  of 
character,  a  balance  of  mind,  quickness  of  perception,  and 
executive  ability,  rarely  found  among  Eastern  women  ;  and, 
even  in  Christian  countries,  generally  supposed  to  be  the  re 
sult  of  inherited  traits,  and  careful  culture.  Her  piety  was 
unmistakable.  When  seeking  a  summer  retreat  for  herself 
and  family,  she  always  tried  to  secure  a  place  where  she 
could  serve  her  Master  among  her  neighbors.  Sometimes 
they  were  Jews,  sometimes  Greeks,  or  Mohammedans;  it 
mattered  not,  so  she  could  but  reach  their  hearts  with  the 
Gospel  of  love.  Her  personal  presence  was  noble  and  com 
manding,  and  she  never  failed  to  inspire  respect  among  all 
classes.  Sometimes  her  labors  were  so  blessed  in  her  sum 
mer  sojourn,  that  she  would  send  for  Dr.  Dwight  to  come 
and  help  deepen  the  impressions  made;  and  on  one  occa 
sion  I  was  permitted  to  aid  in  her  work.  When  ihe  books 
are  opened  at  the  "last  great  day  of  account,"  there  will 


TRANSFERRED.  24! 


assuredly  be  seen  a  record  of  much  Gospel  seed  sown  by 
this  faithful  follower  of  Jesus. 

Her  only  daughter,  and  two  nieces,  children  of  a  widowed 
sister  who  lived  with  her,  were  among  the  pupils  of  our 
school  at  Hasskeuy.  They,  with  the  rest  of  their  school  com 
panions,  became,  at  one  time,  very  much  engaged  and  en 
thusiastic  in  the  distribution  of  tracts ;  and  more  than  500 
of  these  little  wayside  preachers  were  distributed  by  our 
pupils  during  the  year.  Returning  with  them  from  an  even 
ing  meeting  at  the  chapel,  during  one  of  my  visits,  I  heard 
Horopsi  say  to  her  mother,  "  What  do  you  suppose  I  did 
on  our  way  to  the  meeting  ? — Seeing  an  open  window,  as  we 
passed  by  a  house,  I  tossed  a  tract  within !  "  "  Child !  " 
said  the  mother,  "  do  you  know  what  you've  done?  You 
are  now  under  obligation  to  pray  over  that  tract  every 
day  !  What  child's  play  is  that,  to  scatter  seed  carelessly  by 
the  wayside !  " 

This  earnest  admonition  brought  forcibly  to  mind  the  in 
spired  words,  "  He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing 
precious  seed,  shall  doubtless  come  again  with  rejoicing, 
bringing  his  sheaves."  It  told  the  secret  of  the  good 
woman's  success  as  a  voluntary  worker  in  the  Master's 
vineyard,  and  was  more  to  me  than  many  a  sermon !  And  as 
I  mused  upon  the  marvelous  quickening  of  the  intellect, 
caused  by  the  teaching  of  the  Spirit,  I  thought  she  might 
well  say,  with  the  Psalmist,  "  Thou,  through  Thy  command 
ments,  hast  made  me  wise : — I  have  more  understanding 
than  all  my  teachers ;  for  Thy  testimonies  are  my  medita 
tion." 

Strong  natures  are  almost  invariably  marked  by  strong 
faults,  excrescences,  which  show  the  rugged  growth,  but 
II 


242  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


mar  the  symmetry  and  harmony  of  a  rounded  and  complete 
character. 

"  Our  religion  is  good  for  just  so  much  as  we  use  it  for," 
said  a  wise  observer  of  this  fact.  One  Sunday,  Goisine 
Hanum  listened  to  a  sermon  which  her  tender  conscience 
took  home  to  itself,  with  great  power;  and  she  let  the  full 
light  of  truth  fall  upon  her  infirmities  and  besetting  sins — 
more  known  to  God  and  herself,  than  to  any  human  being. 
But  her  heart  was  grieved  that  the  preacher  should  have 
thus  drawn  aside  the  veil,  and  shown  her  faults  so  plainly  to 
the  assembled  congregation.  The  next  day  she  called  to 
see  Dr.  Dwight,  and  asked  him  why  he  so  pitilessly  exposed 
her  before  the  people  !  He  was  greatly  surprised,  and  in 
quired  what  she  meant ;  and  when  she  had  explained  the 
matter,  assured  her  that  he  never  once  thought  of  her  case ; 
and  that  she  should  accept  it  as  the  teaching  of  the  Spirit  of 
truth,  which  "  shall  bring  all  things  to  remembrance." 

AN  INQUIRY   MEETING. 

"  It  must  needs  be  that  offences  come."  I  can  never  for 
get  a  gathering  which  took  place  at  her  house,  to  discuss 
some  points  of  difference  between  the  brethren  and  sisters 
of  the  church  and  Protestant  community,  and  the  mission 
aries.  More  or  less  disaffection  had  for  some  time  existed, 

culminating  in  an  open  rupture  after   Pastor  S 's  visit  to 

Germany  and  America  to  secure  aid  towards  building  a 
large  church  in  Pera.  Goisine  Hanum  was  not  among  the 
malcontents,  but  her  house  was  the  most  central  and  suitable 
place  for  the  meeting  of  Protestant  women,  and  I  was  re 
quested  to  be  present  on  the  occasion.  Sadly  enough — yet 
not  strange — those  who  made  the  most  bitter  complaints, 


TRANSFERRED.  243 


were  those  for  whom  the  most  had  been  done,  in  various 
ways,  by  the  missionaries. 

We  listened  patiently  while  they  stated  their  grievances, 
which  amounted  to  this — as  one  of  their  number  summed 
them  up  :  "  Spiritually,  the  missionaries  have  done  well  by 
us  ;  we  have  nothing  to  find  fault  with ;  but  temporally,  we 
have  been  allowed  to  remain  in  the  last  degree  of  poverty  ! 
It  is  their  duty  to  help  us  in  our  social  position  and  support !" 

Goisine  Hanum  calmly  listened  to  all  the  sisters  had  to 
say  on  this  point — one  of  her  own  kindred  being  among  the 
number — and  then  drawing  up  her  full  figure,  she  said  im 
pressively,  "  All  this  appears  to  me  to  be  nothing  but  the 
'  carnal  mind 7  '  '  It  was  a  shot  which  took  effect ;  and  in  the 
silence  that  ensued,  I  opened  the  Bible,  and  turned  to  Paul's 
example  and  experience  for  light  concerning  the  right 
method  of  conducting  the  missionary  work.  "  I  determined 
not  to  know  anything  among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ  and  Him 
crucified.  And  I  will  very  gladly  spend  and  be  spent  for  you 
(your  souls,  in  the  original),  though  the  more  abundantly  I 
love  you,  the  less  I  be  loved.  For  ye  are  yet  carnal ;  for 
whereas  there  is  among  you  envying  and  strife,  and  divisions, 
are  ye  not  carnal  and  walk  according  to  man  ?" 

The  church  divided,  and  the  long  smouldering  fire  of  dis 
content  broke  out  afresh  every  now  and  then  ;  but  though 
every  effort  was  made  to  draw  Goisine  Hanum  from  her  al 
legiance  to  her  convictions  of  duty,  she  remained  firm  and 
faithful  to  the  end,  a  pillar  of  strength  in  the  city  church. 
When  cholera  was  slaying  its  thousands,  not  many  seasons 
after  this  painful  episode  in  the  missionary  work  at  the 
capital,  this  good  woman  was  "  taken  away  from  the  evil  to 
come."  She  died  as  she  had  lived — in  triumphant  faith — 


244  THE  ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

one  of  many  specimens  of  ripened  and  gathered  fruit,  from 
seed  sown  in  Armenian  soil,  through  the  "  ministry  of  the 
Spirit "  and  the  Word.  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in 
the  Lord:  yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from 
their  labors  ;  and  their  works  do  follow  them" 


CHAPTER     VIII. 

THE   END. 

|T  is  the  close  of  the  last  year  of  the  school's  existence 
in  the  city  of  Constantinople. 

The  wheels  of  Time  have  sped  more  swiftly  round 
with  every  succeeding  year  of  the  cycle  which  is  now  numbered 
with  the  past ;  each  laden  with  its  absorbing  work,  its  rich 
joys,  and  increasing  cares. 

Meanwhile,  several  changes  have  taken  place  in  the  history 
of  the  school ;  and  among  them,  the  exchange  of  the  "  old 
house  on  the  hillside,"  four  years  agone,  for  another  and  smaller 
one  on  an  adjoining  street,  still  higher  up  the  hill,  and  nearer 
Dr.  Goodell's  home.  That  was  a  "  flitting"  long  to  be  remem 
bered  ;  and  a  cleansing  process,  perhaps,  seldom  surpassed 
since  the  days  of  Noah.  Such  floods  of  water  as  poured  from 
floor  to  floor  of  the  fated  dwelling  !  Such  heaps  of  dirt  car 
ried  away  !  Such  hand-to-hand  fights  with  our  old  enemies, 
the  "  B.  flats,  and  F.  sharps  !"  Through  the  rapacity  of  our  old 
Armenian  landlord,  and  the  " yawas/woteun  " — slowness — of  our 
new  one,  we  were  driven  into  a  narrow  space  of  time  to  remove 
all  our  goods  and  chattels,  comprising  the  chapel  and  day-school 
furniture,  with  our  own.  And  not  a  missionary  could  be 
spared  from  pressing  work  to  aid  us  in  the  crisis.  But 
our  pupils  came  to  the  rescue,  disdaining  any  outside  help 

(245) 


246  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

from  hired  women,  of  \vhich,  in  the  early  clays,  they  would  have 
been  but  too  glad.  So,  on  Monday  morning,  bright  and  early, 
the  "Philistines"  were  upon  the  indolent  Turkish  family  who 
still  lingered  in  the  new  premises  ;  and  our  raid  upon  the 
upper  rooms  speedily  routed  them  from  those  below.  Up  and 
down,  hither  and  thither,  flitted  the  swift-footed  maidens, 
bringing  order  out  of  confusion,  and  leaving  purity  and 
sunshine  in  their  wake. 

As  soon  as  a  room  was  in  readiness,  they  ran  back  and 
forth,  bringing  the  smaller  articles  to  the  new  house,  while  the 
larger  pieces  of  furniture  were  born  on  the  backs  of  hamals,  or 
porters  ;  and  Sarah  and  I  were  here,  and  there,  and  everywhere, 
directing  the  whole  like  the  generals  of  an  army.  Saturday 
morning  came,  and  the  last  vestige  of  our  effects,  even  to  the 
well-curb,  was  removed  from  the  old  place.  A  great  fire-proof 
magazine  at  the  foot  of  the  garden,  with  a  door  opening  upon 
the  street,  was  appropriated  for  chapel  use,  and  the  day-schools 
were  removed  to  another  house. 

Our  girls  had  acquitted  themselves  so  nobly  that,  as  a  treat,  we 
sent  them  all  at  mid-day  to  the  public  bath,  under  the  escort  of  a 
faithful  woman,  with  Hovsep,  our  man-of-all-work,  to  protect 
them  in  going  and  coming.  They  returned,  toward  evening, 
with  rosy,  shining  faces,  and,  as  I  was  coming  down  the  broad 
staircase  at  the  end  of  the  hall,  merrily  greeted  me  as  their 
queen,  with  profound  obeisance,  followed  by  a  kiss  on  either 
cheek,  according  to  their  fashion,  saying,  as  if  in  apology, 
"  }Vc  arc  sweet !  "  Kva  afterward  came  to  tell  me  that  they 
behaved  with  great  propriety,  and  commanded  the  respect  of 
the  bath  -  women,  who  asked  many  questions  about  them. 
She  said,  also,  that  there  was  a  great  change  apparent  in  their 
clothing,  every  one  being  provided  with  tidy  under-garments. 


THE   END.  247 


Soon  after  this  episode,  came  the  Annual  Meeting  of 
the  Mission,  and,  being  very  weary,  we  petitioned  the 
"  Station  "  for  permission  to  take  our  vacation  a  month  or  two 
earlier  than  usual.  Then  our  house  was  filled  with  guests,  and 
we  sometimes  had  a  great  company  to  luncheon,  when  the 
meeting  occurred  at  Hasskeuy  \  and,  counting  the  children,  we 
numbered  seventy  in  attendance.  Our  faithful  cook  was 
invaluable  at  such  times,  saying,  with  his  most  deferential 
salaam,  when  I  told  him  what  a  number  were  to  be  provided 
for,  "Your  friends  are  welcome  if  they  were  a  thousand  !"  And 
Eva  greatly  lessened  our  care  and  labor,  often  urging  me  to  go 
and  enjoy  the  society  of  my  friends,  with  the  assurance  that  she 
would  try  to  see  that  everything  was  right  for  the  table  and 
guest-rooms,  in  my  place. 

But  after  those  weeks  of  constant  excitement  and  fatigue 
were  over,  and  school  had  again  commenced,  in  the  heat  of 
mid-summer,  there  followed  another  and  more  painful  episode 
in  a  nervous  prostration  and  distressing  illness,  when  those 
dear  pupils  tenderly  assisted  in  caring  for  their  teacher  during 
the  wearisome  days  and  sleepless  nights  that  were  "  appointed 
unto  me."  *  *  *  And  then,  a  year  or  more  was  spent  in 
the  home  land ;  where  the  vain  endeavor  to  find  rest,  ended  in 
another  prostration,  and  life  trembled  in  the  balance  for  many 
days.  *  *  *  But  a  glad  return  and  a  joyous  welcome 
followed,  like  the  "  clear  shining  after  the  rain."  *  *  *  * 
*  *  And  now  the  end  has  come.  The  dear  sister  who  bore  the 
"  heat  and  burden  of  the  day "  alone,  in  my  absence,  is  to 
return  to  our  mother,  who  needs  a  daughter's  ministry  in  the 
time  of  old  age,  when  "  there  is  none  to  guide  her  among  all 
the  sons  whom  she  has  brought  forth,  neither  is  there  any  to 
take  her  by  the  hand  of  all  she  has  brought  up."  The  school 


248  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


is  to  be  removed  from  the  Capital  to  Marsovan,  in  Asia  Minor, 
to  be  reopened,  after  a  suspension  of  one  year,  with  a  new 
teacher  from  America,  and  I,  henceforth,  of  my  own  voluntary 
choice,  as  most  conducive  to  health,  am  to  devote  my  strength 
to  general  work  among  the  Armenian  women,  wherever  the 
Master  may  appoint. 

A  RE  VIE  W  OF  RESUL  TS. 

In  preparing  the  "Seventeenth  Annual  Report"  of  the 
school,  for  the  yearly  meeting  of  the  Mission,  I  have  gleaned 
some  statistics,  showing  results,  from  the  record  kept  of  each 
pupil,  since  its  establishment  in  October,  1845.  Tne  entire 
number  of  pupils  enrolled  is  128.  Of  these  83  were  received 
from  Constantinople  and  its  suburbs,  and  45  from  mission- 
stations  in  the  interior  of  the  country  : — From  Smyrna,  5  ; 
Broosa,  2 ;  Rodosto,  2 ;  Nicomedia,  13 ;  Bardezag,  3 ; 
Adabazar,  2  ;  Bilijuk,  i  ;  Trebizond,  6 ;  Marsovan,  3 ; 
Tocat,  2;  Erzroom,  i  ;  Diarbekir,  3;  and  Athens,  i.  Thirty- 
seven  have  completed  the  four  years'  course  of  study,  and  sixty 
have  remained  under  instruction  less  than  two  years.  Of  the 
entire  number,  one-half  became  members  of  the  visible  Church  of 
Christ  during  their  connection  with  the  school ;  eighteen  have 
married  preachers,  and  twelve  are  unmarried  teachers.  Three 
of  those  who  were  under  instruction  for  a  longer  or  shorter  time 
are  soon  to  be  married  to  preachers,  one  of  whom  will  be  settled 
in  Stamboul,  one  in  Marash,  of  ancient  Cilicia,  and  one  in 
Cesarea,  of  Cappadocia. 

Of  those  who  have  lately  left  the  school,  and  are  actively 
engaged  as  co-laborers  in  Christian  work,  we  hear  very 
encouraging  accounts.  One  has  an  interesting  and  prosperous 
school  of  forty  live  girls  in  Diarbekir,  Mesopotamia.  TheAVord 


THE   END.  249 


of  God  is  the  principal  text-book,  and  many  of  her  pupils  teach 
their  mothers  at  home.  In  some  instances  the  family  altar  has 
been  erected  through  their  instrumentality.  The  teacher 
makes  it  a  rule  to  visit  the  mothers.  They  receive  her  kindly, 
and  several  are  quite  persuaded  of  the  truth.  We  hear  from 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  that  she  is  also  active  as  a  Christian 
laborer  among  other  women  of  that  ancient  city  on  the  shores 
of  the  Tigris,  often  conducting,  with  great  propriety,  their 
weekly  meetings,  at  which  as  many  as  fifty  are  usually  present. 
She  also  meets  with  the  mothers  once  a  month,  and  reads  to 
them  from  Abbott's  "Mother  at  Home"  in  the  Armenian 
language. 

The  wife  of  the  Protestant  pastor  in  that  city  is  one  of  the 
recent  graduates  of  this  school.  Her  influence  is  said  to  be 
always  in  the  right  direction,  but  it  lacks  force.  She  is 
naturally  diffident  and  retiring,  but  very  amiable,  and  greatly 
beloved  by  the  people. 

Another  of  our  late  graduates  is  the  wife  of  the  pastor  at 
Harpoot,  Armenia,  a  woman  of  more  than  ordinary 
ability.  She  has  lately  completed  the  translation  of  Todd's 
Question  Book  on  Genesis,  besides  other  important  work  for 
her  people.  One  of  the  last  year's  graduates,  but  sixteen 
years  of  age,  is  very  useful  in  Marsovan  of  Pontus.  She  was, 
perhaps,  the  first  to  go  directly  from  the  school  as  a  mis 
sionary  teacher,  to  what  seemed  a  foreign  field  ;  and  we 
made  the  occasion  of  her  leaving,  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Leonard,  one  of  special  interest  and  solemn  consecration. 
She  had  not  seen  her  parents  for  a  year,  but  having  obtained 
their  reluctant  consent,  she  cheerfully  relinquished  that 
pleasure,  and  only  asked  that  her  necessary  expenses  should 
be  defrayed,  while  imparting  to  others  what  she  had  so 


250  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

freely  received.  She  has  proved  invaluable  to  Mrs.  Leonard 
in  her  work  among  the  women  ;  sometimes  conducting 
meetings  at  which  more  than  seventy  were  present.  She  has 
also  taught  a  school  of  sixteen  or  eighteen  young  women,  a 
portion  of  each  day,  besides  giving  instruction  in  singing  to 
the  children  collected  in  the  other  day-schools  established 
there.  Her  example,  and  her  frequent  letters,  exert  an  ex 
cellent  reflex  influence  upon  those  of  her  former  companions 
who  are  under  training  for  the  same  work. 

Two  of  our  graduates  are  usefully  employed  at  Bardezag, 
in  Bithynia.  One  is  "  in  her  element  and  glory  "  as  a  school 
mistress,  with  forty  pupils,  and  Mr.  Parsons  expresses  the  wish 
that  he  had  a  score  of  such  workers  in  his  field.  The  other, 
for  a  season  thwarted  in  her  desire  to  teach  a  school,  by  her 
worldly,  avaricious  father,  commenced  teaching  the  women 
from  house  to  house,  and  holding  mothers'  meetings 
among  them.  Two  more  are  actively  and  usefully  em 
ployed  at  Adabazar,  in  the  day-school,  Sunday-school, 
and  among  the  women ;  and  both  are  married  to  preachers 
of  the  gospel.  Of  those  in  our  more  immediate  vicinity,  at 
Constantinople,  one  is  teaching  a  small  self-supporting 
school  in  Ballat.  She  also  gathers  the  children  for  Sunday- 
school  instruction  from  week  to  week.  Another,  living  in 
Pera,  collects  all  the  Protestant  Armenian  children  at  her 
own  home  each  Sunday,  and  teaches  them  the  Word  of  God. 
One  of  our  former  Greek  pupils  is  an  assistant  teacher  in 
the  English  boarding-school  of  Miss  Walsh,  in  Pera.  Two 
of  our  graduates  are  also  engaged  as  assistant  teachers  in 
the  large  and  important  school  of  the  German  Deaconnesses 
in  Smyrna. 

Among  the  early  graduates,  and  "first-fruits"  of  this  school, 


THE   EN]).  251 


who  are  helping  to  elevate  their  sex,  and,  by  precept  and  ex 
ample,  are  raising  the  standard  of  home  and  family-life 
among  the  people,  we  find  the  excellent  wives  of  the 
preachers  and  pastors  now  stationed  at  Rodosto,  Nicomedia, 
Bardezag,  Broosa,  Aiden — near  Smyrna,  and  Bitlis. 

Two  others  are  teaching  self-supporting  day-schools  in 
Nicomedia  and  Broosa ;  at  the  latter  place,  the  school  is  at 
tended  by  children  of  various  nationalities,  who  pay  from 
12  to  14  piastres  each,  per  month,  for  tuition. 

These  are  the  educated  women  of  the  land — the  repre 
sentatives  of  Christian  womanhood  among  the  various  races 
of  the  Turkish  Empire !  And  their  homes  are  so  many 
lights,  shining  amid  the  surrounding  darkness. 

REASONS  FOR  REMOVING    TO    THE    INTERIOR. 

The  centres  of  religious  influence  are  multiplying 
throughout  the  land  from  year  to  year,  and  good  teachers 
are  constantly  called  for.  These  teachers  must  be  furnished 
from  a  training-school ;  and  past  experience  confirms  us  in 
the  conviction  that  the  school  should  be  limited  to  a  class 
of  girls  of  some  maturity  and  strength  of  character,  who 
will  pledge  themselves  to  teach  for  a  specified  period,  after 
finishing  their  course  of  study  ;  and  also,  that  teachers  for 
the  interior  should  be  trained  in  the  interior.  There  are 
too  many  worldly  influences  to  contend  with  in  the  Capital, 
and  its  attractions  too  frequently  draw  unworthy  candidates, 
who  are  not  easily  sent  back  to  their  distant  country  homes. 

Pera,  the  Frank  quarter  of  Constantinople,  is  a  modern 
"  Vanity  Fair  !  "  One  may  constantly  see  there,  Roman- 
Catholic  Armenians,  Greeks  and  Periots— a  mixed  class — 
dressed  in  the  extreme  of  Persian  fashion  ;  ladies,  loaded 


252  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


down  with  finery,  in  over-trimmed  silks,  satins,  velvets  and 
laces,  and  glittering  with  jewels  and  a  gay  profusion  of 
feathers  and  flowers,  sweep  the  narrow,  dirty  streets  in  com 
mon  with  donkeys  and  their  drivers,  filthy  beggars,  and  al 
most  every  variety  of  bipeds  and  quadrupeds,  intermingled 
in  one  grand  and  strange  medley !  Princes  and  peasants, 
bankers  and  beggars,  priests  and  dervishes,  monks  and 
sisters  of  charity,  foreign  ambassadors  and  their  suites,  in 
European  carriages,  and  Turkish  pashas,  mounted  on  richly 
caparisoned  Arab  steeds,  followed  by  footmen  in  dazzling 
array,  pass  in  rapid  succession  in  this  kaleidoscopic  scene. 
French,  German,  English,  and  American  ladies  are  jostled 
by  their  closely-veiled  Oriental  sisters,  who  shuffle  along  in 
great  yellow  boots,  accompanied  by  children — miniature  men 
and  women — dressed  after  the  fashion  of  their  parents.  The 
doll-like,  soulless  houris  of  the  harem  roll  by  in  their  gay 
Arabas — their  dark,  languishing  eyes,  peering  curiously 
through  the  transparent  yashmac,  at  the  moving  panorama 
before  them.  And  the  senses  are  almost  bewildered  by  the 
jargon  of  many  tongues — ancient  Babel  renewed !  Greek, 
German,  French,  English,  Italian,  and  Armenian  shopkeepers 
vie  with  each  other  in  the  display  of  their  goods ;  and  the 
opera,  the  theatre,  and  "  saloons  "  and  cafes  of  every  de 
scription,  flaunt  out  their  gilded  "  signs,"  in  various  lan 
guages  ;  while  "  grand  hotels,"  and  stately  palaces,  guarded 
by  cavasses,  or  government  soldiers,  meet  one  at  frequent  in 
tervals.  Rome  lends  her  enchantment — the  voices  of  "  sing 
ing  men  "  and  boys,  mingle  with  the  swell  of  the  pealing 
organ,  from  some  gorgeous  cathedral,  and  add  to  the  glow 
and  glitter  of  its  pomp  and  ceremony  ;  all  combining  to 
confuse  and  dazzle  the  unaccustomed  eye,  and  ensnare  the 


THE   END.  253 


heart  with  the  specious  allurements  of  the  "  Prince  of  this 
world."  And  Dame  Fashion  asserts  her  empire:  Even 
Moslem  women  feel  her  influence,  and  are  following  in  the 
train  of  the  "  fickle  goddess,"  so  far  as  they  dare.  Many  a 
portly  Turkish  dame  strives  to  reduce  her  ample  waist  to 
finer  proportions,  by  modern  appliances,  and  "  crinoline  "  has 
found  its  way  into  some  of  the  harems  of  the  ruling  race ! 

Moslem  priests,  may  declaim,  and  the  Sheik  Islam — head 
of  the  faith — issue  a  proclamation  against  the  gossamer-like 
muslin  which  has  superseded  the  thicker  "  yashmac  "  of  old, 
and  loudly  denounce  all  modern  innovations ;  but  here,  as 
elsewhere,  it  is  breath  spent  in  vain,  for  fashion  will  huve  its 
sway !  The  awkwardly  loose  nether  garment  of  the  Turk 
has  been  generally  cast  aside  for  that  of  European  nations, 
and  other  changes  will  follow  in  due  season. 

It  is  not  alone  the  Bible,  and  the  Missionary,  that  the 
swift-winged  ship  conveys  from  Christian  countries  to  lands 
lying  in  heathen  darkness!  Commerce  brings  in  its  train 
and  scatters  widely,  the  seeds  of  vice  and  death,  which  bear 
the  most  bitter  fruits  at  home ;  and  some  of  the  vilest  servants 
of  Satan  are  considered  the  representatives  of  Christian  nations, 
by  those  who  see  no  other  type,  or  know  not  that  the  "  chaff 
and  the  wheat  "  must  "  grow  together  until  the  harvest." 
Such  "signs  of  the  times"  as  "London  Tavern,"  "Grog 
Shop,"  and, — in  great  staring  letters,  strung  across  one's  path 
way — "Wines,  and  Divers  Kinds  of  DRUNKS  Sold  Here,"  meet 
the  eye  in  various  parts  of  Galata ;  and.  even  in  the  narrow, 
nameless,  labyrinthian  streets  of  the  "  Old  City,"  one  may 
meet  porters  carrying  huge  barrels  branded  in  unmistakable 
characters,  "New  England  Rum."  It  is  Satan's  Sign'  As 
in  the  time  of  Job,  so  now :  when  the  sons  of  God  come, 


254  TIIE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


Satan  comes  also  !  But  the  "  calm  retreat,  the  silent  shade  " 
of  a  quiet  country  town,  is  vastly  better  suited  to  the  train 
ing  of  home-missionaries,  than  the  rush  and  roar  of  a  great 
metropolis,  with  its  distractions,  its  follies,  and  its  wicked 
ness.  Besides  the  lessening  of  expense,  there  is  far  less  dan 
ger  of  the  students  getting  out  of  sympathy  with  their  people, 
and  acquiring  expensive  tastes,  and  habits  which  will  unfit 
them  for  their  future  labors.  Hitherto,  it  has  required  unre 
mitting  care  and  effort  to  stem  the  almost  overwhelming  tide 
of  worldliness,  and  the  contagion  of  style,  in  dress,  etc.,  etc., 
which,  with  every  year,  is  becoming  more  and  more  power 
ful  at  the  Capital.  Yet,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  nearly 
all  of  our  pupils  from  the  country  have  been  obliged  to 
spend  their  vacations  with  city  friends,  away  from  our  super 
vision,  we  rejoice  that  our  efforts  have  been  attended  with 
gratifying  success  in  the  case  of  those  who  have  gone  forth 
to  work  for  Christ.  They  are  all  very  neat  and  plain  in 
their  dress  ;  none  of  them  wear  bonnets,  and  their  sim 
plicity  of  attire  would  attract  attention  among  their  more 
showily  dressed  Constantinople  friends  and  companions, 
some  of  whom  seem  carried  far  away  by  the  strong  current 
of  worldly  influences  into  which  they  have  fallen.  And  it  is 
impossible  for  us,  in  this  cosmopolitan  city  of  great  distances, 
to  extend  over  them  the  watch  and  care  which  they  so 
greatly  need.  The  "  returns'"  of  the  school — for  the  end  which 
caused  its  establishment — are  far  less  for  Constantinople, 
than  for  other  places  remote  from  the  seaboard.  Our 
best  material  comes  from  the  country.  And  in  remov 
ing  the  institution  to  Mnrsovan,  it  is  hoped  that  girls 
may  be  secured  who  are  now  beyond  our  reach:  and  that 
we  may  also  obviate  some  of  the  unavoidable  evils  of  gratuit- 


THE    END.  255 


ous  support  in  a  Mission  Board  ing-School,  by  requiring  the 
pupils  to  furnish  at  least  a  portion  of  what  is  needed  to  supply 
their  wants  while  under  instruction.  With  this  in  view,  the 
graduating  class  only  was  retained  during  the  last  year. 
In  addition  to  the  usual  domestic  work,  they  have  cook 
ed  their  own  food,  without  interruption  to  their  stu 
dies,  and  with  entire  satisfaction  to  all  concerned ;  and 
while  our  expenses  have  been  thereby  reduced,  many 
practical  advantages  have  been  secured.  We  have  reason  to 
believe,  that  most,  if  not  all  of  this  class  are  Christ's  disciples, 
and  will  become  earnest  workers  in  the  Lord's  vineyard. 
They  are  animated  by  the  hope  of  occupying  spheres  of  in 
fluence  when  they  leave  the  school,  and  many  plans  are  un 
der  consideration  respecting  their  future  fields  of  labor.  The 
already  established  Christian  character  of  the  older  girls,  and 
the  daily  growth  and  development  of  some  of  the  younger 
ones,  is  cause  for  thankfulness  and  hope. 

ONE   OF   THE  METHODS  EMPLOYED  IN   TRAINING 
WORKERS. 

As  a  means  of  preparation  for  such  work,  we  opened  last 
year,  a  "  Mission  Sunday-School"  in  the  house  occupied  by 
the  day-school,  the  younger  pupils  of  which  formed  a  nucleus 
for  it.  Two  or  three  of  our  pupils  usually  accompanied  us 
at  the  appointed  hour,  and  others,  of  more  maturity,  went 
out  into  the  neighboring  streets,  to  gather  in  the  stray  lambs. 
For  a  time,  our  efforts  prospered,  and  the  hour  spent  in  the 
low,  dingy  room  of  that  miserable  old  dwelling  was  the  hap 
piest  of  the  week.  We  taught  the  children  to  sing  our 
delightful  Sunday-School  songs,  and  by  simple  and  familiar 
illustrations  of  Bible  truth,  sought  to  wake  up  their  minds, 


256  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

and  teach  them  to  think.  This  was  a  sort  of  "  Model 
School,"  in  which  our  own  pupils  learned  to  teach,  by  a  liv 
ing  illustration  ;  and  sometimes  we  yielded  our  place  to 
them,  and  listened  in  turn,  while  they  imparted  instruction 
to  the  children.  Suitable  tracts  were  often  given  to  the 
children  to  take  home  to  their  friends,  and  a  Scripture  card 
was  presented  to.  each  one,  which  was  prized  in  proportion 
to  the  brightness  of  its  colors.  They  were  requested  to 
commit  the  texts  to  memory,  and  repeat  them  the  following 
Sunday,  when  the  card  was  exchanged  for  another.  In  this 
way,  some  of  the  most  precious  truths  of  Holy  Writ  received 
a  lodgement  in  many  young  minds. 

One  noble  little  bey,  nine  years  of  age,  interested  us  greatly. 
When  I  called  to  see  his  good  mother,  she  told  me  that  for 
several  days  he  had  appeared  disturbed  and  troubled  about 
something,  and  would  not  tell  her  what  it  was.  But  at  last  it 
came  out :  "  Mother,"  said  the  honest  little  fellow,  "  I  knew 
it  was  wicked  to  tell  lies,  and  I  tried  not  to  ;  but  many  times 
I  did  not  speak  the  truth  in  my  heart,  when  you  asked  me 
where  I  had  been,  and  what  I  had  been  doing."  It  was 
blessed  work  to  sow  the  seeds  of  truth  in  such  soil,  and  we 
joyfully  anticipated  the  time  when  hundreds  and  thousands 
of  children  should  be  thus  taught  by  our  pupils,  all  over  the 
land  !  But  unlooked-for  opposition  came.  The  power  of 
the  priesthood  is  not  yet  broken  in  Constantinople.  Our  num 
bers  began  to  diminish,  and  we  soon  learned  that  the  priests 
had  got  hold  of  our  tracts,  had  told  the  children  that  they  were 
bad  books,  and  forbidden  them  to  come  to  the  school,  under 
penalty  of  imprisonment.  In  some  cases,  the  tracts  were 
torn  to  pieces  before  their  eyes.  It  soon  became  imprac 
ticable  for  the  girls  to  go  out  into  the  streets,  and  gather  in 


THE    END.  257 

stragglers;  rude  boys  collected,  threw  stones,  and  hooted  at 
them,  and  they  were  severely  threatened  by  some  of  the 
women  for  prosecuting  such  labors  among  their  children. 
Thus  the  winter  passed  away,  our  numbers  fluctuating  from 
twenty  to  ten,  and  even  less.  One  Sunday  no  one  appear 
ed  at  the  appointed  hour,  and  according  to  the  Master's 
command,  I  went  out  "  into  the  highways  and  hedges,"  to 
"compel  them  to  come  in."  After  many  fruitless  attempts, 
and  almost  despairing  of  success — with  the  noonday  sun 
pouring  down  his  hottest  rays — I  made  one  more  prayerful 
effort,  and  succeeded  in  securing  six  new  boys,  from  five  to 
twelve  years  of  age.  Arriving  at  the  school-room  with  my 
new-found  treasures,  I  was  cheered  by  the  sight  of  half-a- 
dozen  of  the  old  ones,  who  greeted  me  with  smiling  faces. 
The  new-comers  were  bright  and  active,  but  very  ignorant 
of  Bible  truth.  We  felt  that  it  might  be  our  only  opportuni 
ty,  and  strove  to  make  them  understand  something  of  the 
nature  of  sin,  and  salvation  through  Christ.  They  commit 
ted  to  memory,  in  concert,  two  verses  of  a  hymn,  and  a 
passage  of  Scripture,  containing  the  vital  essence  of  Chris 
tianity,  and  also  learned  to  sing  a  tune  or  two.  We  took 
down  their  names,  and  they  promised  faithfully  to  come 
again ;  but  it  was  even  as  we  feared,  we  saw  them  no  more. 
The  good  seed  thus  sown  by  the  wayside,  was  committed  in 
faith  to  Him  who  has  promised  that  His  Word  shall  not  re 
turn  unto  Him  void,  while,  perhaps,  our  own  pupils  realized 
more  largely  the  present  benefits,  in  learning  how  to  reach 
and  interest  little  children,  in  the  simple  presentation  of 
Scripture  truth.  But,  hearing  the  tramp  of  many  feet  going 
by  the  house  where  I  was  visiting  a  sick  girl,  one  Sunday, 
not  many  months  afterward,  I  inquired  the  cause,  at  that  un- 


258  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

usual  hour.  "  O,"  said  an  Armenian  neighbor,  who  had 
dropped  in,  "  it  is  only  the  people  returning  from  the 
Church  Sunday-School !  The  priest  has  commanded  them 
all  to  come,  men,  women,  and  children ;  and  they  are  taught 
in  separate  rooms  :  He  says  that  five  years  from  now,  one 
who  does  not  know  how  to  read,  will  be  a  nobody  !" 

The  year  closed  with  a  public  examination,  which  was  well 
attended  by  missionary  and  other  friends,  besides  many  Ar 
menians  living  in  the  vicinity.  There  were  the  usual  exer 
cises,  showing  the  proficiency  made  by  the  class  in  the  course 
of  study — comprising  arithmetic,  geography,  grammar,  an 
cient  and  modern,  also  ancient  and  modern  history,  astrono 
my,  and  natural  philosophy — the  latter  limited  for  want  of 
suitable  Armenian  text-books — moral  science,  and  Bible  his 
tory  ;  with  the  reading  of  essays,  varied  by  singing,  and  the 
exhibition  of  specimens  of  penmanship,  map-drawing,  and 
needle-work.  But  the  most  interesting  feature  of  the  closing 
up  of  this  dispensation  was 

THE   REUNION. 

This  took  place  on  Monday,  the  last  day  of  June,  at  the 
school-home. 

Written  invitations  had  been  sent  to  all  the  former  pupils 
residing  in  and  around  Constantinople,  and  at  an  early  hour 
they  began  to  assemble.  As  many  of  them  came  from  dis 
tant  localities,  suitable  refreshments  were  served,  at  noon, 
and  the  contemplated  exercise  commenced  at  half-past  one 
o'clock.  The  gathering  took  place  in  the  large  hall ;  former 
graduates  occupying  the  scats  in  the  centre,  and  the  graduating 
class,  with  their  teachers,  taking  one  side.  The  first  pupil  of 
the  school  sat  on  the  opposite  side,  with  her  little  children,  and 


THE   END.  259 


two  of  her  early  associates  beside  her.  There  were  present 
thirty  of  the  former  pupils,  with  twelve  of  their  children.  The 
graduating  class  numbered  twelve.  Dr.  Goodell  occupied  the 
chair,  with  Drs.  Hamlin  and  Riggs,  and  two  Armenian  pastors 
on  either  side.  A  number  of  the  mothers  of  the  graduates 
came  with  their  daughters,  and  they,  with  members  of  our 
missionary  families,  filled  up  the  space  outside.  The  exercises 
were  commenced  by  singing  two  or  three  familiar  pieces, 
accompanied  by  the  melodeon,  after  which  Dr.  Goodell  arose 
and  expressed  the  joy  of  his  heart  at  meeting  so  many  of  those 
who  had  been  under  instruction  in  his  own  house  in  past 
years.  He  then  called  upon  Dr.  Hamlin,  who  had  been 
invited  to  prepare  an  address  for  the  occasion.  Dr.  Harnlin 
prefaced  his  remarks  by  saying  that  he  at  first  shrank  from 
taking  any  part  in  the  exercises.  It  was  to  him  like  attending 
the  funeral  of  the  school,  for  he  knew  it  was  to  be  closed  for  a 
year,  and,  in  all  probability,  it  would  never  be  reopened  in 
the  city  of  Constantinople.  But  he  remembered  that  it  was 
"  better  to  go  to  the  house  of  mourning  than  the  house  of 
feasting,"  and  decided  to  come.  "  And  now,"  he  said, 
"  instead  of  mourning,  I  see  rejoicing,  and,  instead  of  death,  a 
great  deal  of  life."  He  then  followed  with  a  very  appropriate 
address  on  education,  especially  education  for  woman. 

After  the  singing  of  a  spirited  school  song,  Dr.  Goodell  made 
some  touching  remarks  respecting  the  commencement  of  the  in 
stitution  in  his  home,  in  Pera,  seventeen  years  before.  He 
alluded  to  its  first  teacher,  Miss  Lovell,  in  most  affectionate 
terms ;  spoke  of  their  many  prayers  for  the  teacher  who  was  to 
be  sent  from  America  for  the  new  school  for  Armenian  girls ; 
how  they  watched  for  her  coming ;  how  they  welcomed  her — a 
stranger  in  a  strange  land — to  their  home  and  their  hearts,  for 


260  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


they  knew  that  she  had  left  all  for  Christ.  He  then  spoke  of  Mrs. 
Everett — that  lovely  sister,  who  soon  came  to  be  associated 
with  Miss  Lovell  in  the  schpol  ;  of  the  precious  revival  seasons 
they  enjoyed,  when  the  Spirit  came  down  like  a  gentle  shower, 
or  like  a  mighty  rushing  wind,  and  all  hearts  were  melted,  and 
they  walked  softly  before  the  Lord.  As  the  venerable  speaker 
went  back  to  those  days  in  the  early  history  of  the  school,  his 
emotions  often  choked  his  utterance,  and  many  a  tear-bedewed 
countenance  told  of  the  chords  touched  in  the  hearts  of  his 
hearers.  But  when  he  spoke  of  the  changes  he  had  witnessed  : 
how  the  young,  and  strong,  and  vigorous  had  early  finished  their 
work  and  gone  to  their  reward  before  him, — he  was  unable  to 
proceed,  and  sat  down,  while  smothered  sobs  from  all  parts  of 
the  room  alone  broke  the  silence  that  ensued.  Dr.  Hamlin 
then  arose,  and,  in  a  voice  broken  by  emotion,  spoke  of  his 
sainted  wife — the  first  teacher  of  that  school.  He  addressed 
himself  to  those  who  had  shared  her  instructions  and  her 
prayers.  He  told  them  of  a  paper  he  had  found  after  her  death 
upon  which  their  names  were  inscribed  in  a  way  which  showed 
that  she  had  continued  to  follow  them  with  special  prayer  till 
her  life  on  earth  closed.  He  said  that  if  the  spirits  of  departed 
friends  are  permitted  to  visit  the  abodes  of  earth,  he  doubted 
not  that  she  and  her  sister  teachers  were  often  hovering  round 
their  pathway,  watching  their  progress,  and  longing  to  meet 
them  in  the  realms  of  glory.  Dr.  Hamlin  then  left  to  fulfill  a 
business  engagement.  After  the  pupils  had  sung  the  anthem, 
"Jerusalem,  my  happy  home,"  Dr.  Riggs  addressed  the  gradu 
ating  class.  He  alluded  to  their  having  completed  their  course 
of  study  ;  that  they  were  now  to  go  forth  into  the  world  to 
impart  what  they  had  received  :  They  were  to  be  deprived  of 
the  watch  and  care  of  their  teachers,  and  assume  new  and 


THE    END.  26l 


heavy  responsibilities.  He  begged  them,  however,  to  remem 
ber  that  they  were  still  in  a  school — that  of  the  Divine  Master  ; 
and,  instead  of  one,  they  had  three  teachers — the  Word  of 
God,  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  Providence.  After  very  impressive 
and  fitting  remarks,  he  presented  each  member  of  the  gradu 
ating  class  with  a  nice  reference  Bible,  in  the  name  of  the 
American  Bible  Society,  through  their  agent,  Rev.  Isaac  G. 
Bliss.  Small  and  prettily  bound  blank-books  were  also  presented 
to  the  graduates  from  their  teachers,  in  which  were  written  their 
last  words  of  counsel,  with  selected  texts  of  Scripture.  These 
little  albums  afterwards  received  valuable  additions  from  the 
pens  of  Dr.  Goodell,  Dr.  Riggs,  and  others.  The  assistant 
teacher  then,  in  the  name  of  the  graduating  class,  presented 
Dr.  Goodell  and  Dr.  Riggs  each,  their  pictures  taken  in  a 
group ;  after  which  the  class  arose,  and  sang  with  much  feeling 
and  expression,  the  "missionary  call," — "My  soul  is  not  at 
rest," — which  has  been  finely  translated  into  Armenian. 

Pastor  Muggerdich,  the  husband  of  the  first  pupil  of  the  school, 
made  the  concluding  address.  In  behalf  of  all  present  who 
had  enjoyed  its  privileges,  he  tendered  hearty  thanks  to 
the  officers  and  patrons  of  the  American  Board  of  Missions, 
and  to  all  those  who  had  been  instrumental  in  founding  the 
institution — mentioning  particularly  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Dwight — 
and  expressed  their  deep  and  heartfelt  gratitude  to  those 
missionaries  in  whose  dwellings,  and  under  whose  fostering  care 
it  had  been  placed ;  to  those  teachers,  some  of  whom  had 
entered  into  rest,  after  arduous  and  faithful  toil  ;  and  others, 
who  still  remained,  had  labored  beyond  their  strength  till  health 
had  failed  :  The  names,  the  labors,  the  memory  of  each 
and  all  should  find  a  lasting  monument  in  their  hearts.  His 
allusions  were  very  touching,  and,  as  he  proceeded,  he  waxed 


262  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

warm  and  eloquent.  Casting  his  eyes  over  the  assembly  of 
well-dressed  and  respectable,  intelligent-looking  Armenian 
mothers  and  daughters,  he  said  that  it  was  the  first  time  he  had 
witnessed  such  a  sight  in  Stamboul :  The  first  company  of 
educated  Eastern  women  ever  gathered  in  the  city  of  the  Sultan 
for  such  a  purpose  !  He  blessed  God  that  he  was  permitted  to 
see  that  day,  and  hoped  it  would  not  be  the  last  he  should 
witness.  He  then  took  a  retrospective  glance  at  the  past, 
when  there  was  but  one  school  for  girls  in  all  Turkey, 
comparing  it  with  the  present,  when  many  girls  are  learning,  at 
least  to  read,  and  schools  for  them  are  being  established 
throughout  the  land.  Addressing  himself  to  those  who  were 
mothers,  he  charged  them  to  remember  their  responsibilities 
in  training  up  a  generation  of  Christian  men  and  women.  He 
spoke  of  the  main  object  for  which  the  school  was  established, 
and  very  impressively  urged  the  duty  of  imparting  what  each 
had  received  to  her  sisters  who  were  sitting  in  darkness.  After 
a  few  special  remarks  to  the  graduating  class,  who  were  now 
to  go  forth  into  the  Master's  vineyard,  all  united  in  singing, 
"  When  shall  we  meet  again,"  and  the  exercises  closed  with 
prayer  and  the  benediction. 

It  had  been  very  pleasant  to  us  to  witness  the  meetings 
which  took  place  between  those  who  had  been  long  separated, 
as  they  gathered  during  the  early  part  of  the  day  ;  and  now 
they  came  up  to  us  with  tearful  eyes,  and  expressed  their 
thankfulness  for  the  rich  treat  which  they  had  enjoyed.  "  It 
is  just  what  we  have  long  needed,"  said  one;  "we  live  at 
great  distances  from  each  other,  and  we  need  such  occasions 
to  bring  us  together,  and  keep  fresh  in  our  hearts  the  instruc 
tions  that  we  have  received."  The  wife  of  Pastor  Sdepan, 
of  Broosa,  was  unexpectedly  present,  and  her  eyes  glistened 


THE   END.  263 


as  she  said  "  it  was  worth  coming  all  the  way  from  Broosa, 
to  be  present  on  that  occasion."  The  hall  presented  a  busy, 
lively  scene  for  the  next  hour  or  two  :  Here,  a  group  sur 
rounding  "  Father  Goodell,"  whose  white  hair  commanded 
the  veneration  of  all,  while  his  genial  spirit  made  him  alike 
the  friend  of  child  and  matron :  And  there,  a  similar  group 
around  Mrs.  Goodell,  who  held  in  her  motherly  embrace 
one  of  the  "  grandchildren  "  of  the  school. 

Little  knots  were  gathered  in  various  corners,  and  busy 
tongues  were  chatting  in  two  or  three  languages.  But  there 
was  one  scene  which  stirred  the  current  of  our  feelings 
more  than  any  other  :  It  was  a  number  of  the  early  pupils, 
gazing,  with  deep  emotion,  upon  the  pictures  of  their  sainted 
teachers — Miss  Lovell  and  Mrs.  Everett — in  the  "  Mission 
ary  Sisters,"  lately  published.  Our  hearts  yearned  over 
some  whom  we  feared  had  forgotten  the  faithful  teachings 
of  those  loved  ones ;  but  memory  seemed  busy,  and  voices 
of  the  past  were  revived  by  the  silent  pictures  over  which 
they  were  bending.  We  felt  that  many  of  the  broken  links 
of  love  were  gathered  up,  and  knit  with  a  firmer  grasp  by 
that  brief  interview. 

Ere  nightfall,  the  company  thus  gathered  for  the  first  and 
last  time,  reluctantly  scattered  to  their  homes,  with  many  a 
lingering  look  and  warm  grasp  of  the  hand,  which  spoke 
more  eloquently  than  words. 

And  thus  closed  the  last  day  of  the  Mission  Training- 
School  for  Armenian  girls,  in  the  city  of  Constantinople  : — 
June  3ist,  1862. 


CHAPTER    I  X. 

REGIONS    BEYOND. 

|WIFTLY,  too  swiftly,  our  steamer  is  speeding 
through  the  lovely  Bosphorus,  onward  to  the  Black 
Sea !  We  strain  our  eyes  to  catch  the  last  glimpse 
of  places  whose  history  is  inwrought  in  our  very  being ;  and 
as  one  familiar  and  endeared  point  after  another  flashes  by, 
memory  is  busy  with  the  ever-living  past,  which  has  so 
closely  interwoven  the  woof  and  warp  of  our  life,  with  the 
checkered  web  of  many  another.  What  changes  have 
we  not  witnessed  in  the  years  that  are  gone !  How 
many  night-watchings  were  ours !  By  how  many  death 
beds  have  we  stood,  catching  faint  gleams  of  the  glory  be 
yond ;  when  the  door  was  shut,  with  a  jar,  and  we  were  left 
to  take  up  the  burden  where  they  laid  it  down,  and,  with 
trembling  lips  and  aching  hearts,  to  finish  the  song  which 
death  had  interrupted.  What  toils,  and  cares,  and  what 
comforts,  what  joys  and  sorrows,  were  brought  on  the  swift 
wings  of  each  flying  year  !  What  "  human  hopes  of  ours 
are  dead,  and  buried  out  of  sight,"  with  no  possible 
resurrection  ! 

"  Yet  from  their  graves,  immortal  flowers 
May  spring,  and  blossom  into  light." 


But  this  looking  back  is  not  all  sad. 
(264) 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  265 


Dotted  over  those  eight  or  nine  years,  like  spring  daisies 
gemming  the  green  meadows,  are  bright  spots,  sunny  days, 
in  our  calendar  of  missionary  life  at  the  Capital.  The  sweet 
seasons  of  rest,  and  refreshment,  in  the  pleasant  homes  of 
"fathers  and  mothers,  brothers,  and  sisters,"  united  to  us  by 
a  dearer  bond  than  that  of  kindred. 

The  blessed  times  of  Communion,  around  the  table  of 
our  Lord  and  Master,  when  we  sang  of  the  one  Great  Family, 
"above,  below,"  and  looked  across  dividing  seas,  to  the 
country  which  gave  us  birth,  with  heart-throbs  and 
moistened  eyes,  as  the  hymn  went  on — 

"  Though  in  a  foreign  land, 
We  are  not  far  from  home." 

The  joyous  gatherings  at  "Thanksgiving"  time,  albeit  the 
dinner  was  generally  without  the  traditional  turkey,  and 
pumpkin  pies  of  New  England  memory.  The  "  Christmas 
Trees,"  delighting  children  and  parents,  in  the  missionary 
home  which  contained  many  a  hint  of  the  land  of  Luther ; 
and  the  "  musical  evenings  "  there  spent  in  enchanted  listen 
ing  to  the  marvelous  strains  of  the  sweet  silver  flute  of 
Andover  memory,  in  some  of  Bethoven's  choicest  sym 
phonies.*  The  New  Years',  and  the  birthday  anniversaries, 
which  were  so  many  milestones  to  mark  our  onward  pro 
gress,  and  a  happy  means  of  education  to  the  children  of 
our  little  colony  :  Charming  rambles  over  the  hills  of  Bebek, 
when,  with  "  incense-breathing  morn,"  there  came  the  soft, 
plaintive  call  of  the  turtle  dove ;  the  air  resounded  with  the 
monotonous  chirping  of  many  sparrows,  and  revivified 


The  Rer.  W.  G.  Schauffler,  D.D. 
12 


266  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

nature  sent  up  a  glad  chorus  of  praise ;  or,  evening  walks, 
by  the  sea-side,  when  the  moon,  "  pale  empress  of  the  night," 
shed  silvery  lustre  over  the  fairy  scene,  where  the  dipping 
oar  sent  the  light  caique  skimming  over  the  gleaming  waves, 
and  the  liquid  notes  of  the  nightingale,  in  "linked  sweet 
ness,  long  drawn  out,"  quivered  on  the  air,  from  the  deep 
thickets  of  the  dimpled  shore,  and  hushed  every  breath  to 
catch  its  ecstatic  warblings. 

The  precious  reunions  which  accompanied  each  May  or 
June,  when  many  a  hillside  was  blushing  with  delicious 
strawberries,  and  the  air  was  fragrant  with  the  breath  of  the 
far-famed  roses  of  the  "land  of  the  Rising  Sun;"  and  like 
the  Jews  of  old,  "the  tribes  came  up"  to  the  yearly  feast; 
and  long-separated,  way-worn  members  of  the  one  mis 
sionary  family,  rejoiced  to  meet  again  for  a  brief  season; 
when  they  brought,  from  distant  stations,  thrilling  reports  of 
the  triumphs  of  truth,  and  sat  in  council,  day  after  day,  de 
vising  "  ways  and  means  "  for  taking  possession  of  the  entire 
land  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  ! 

The  largely  attended  and  enthusiastic  Bible  and  "  Evangeli 
cal  Alliance  "  meetings  held  in  connection  with  the  Annual 
Meeting  of  the  Mission,  presided  over  by  honored  represen 
tatives  of  our  own  or  other  Christian  governments  ;  and  the 
pleasant  interchange  of  social  courtesies,  with  the  families  of 
the  foreign  embassies,  on  these  and  other  occasions.*  The 


*  Among  those  to  whom  the  American  missionaries  at  Constanti 
nople  have  been  most  largely  indebted  for  aid  and  sympathy  in  their 
work,  should  be  mentioned,  Lord  and  Lady  Stratford  de  RadclifFe,  of 
the  English  Embassy  ;  the  Count  and  Countess  dc  Zuylen  de  Nyevelt, 
of  the  Dutch  Embassy  to  Turkey  and  Greece  ;  and  the  Hon.  (>eo.  P. 
Marsh,  LL.D.,  and  Mrs.  Marsh,  of  the  American  Legation  ;  with  all 
of  whom  their  relations,  in  public  and  social  life,  were  most  harmo- 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  267 

patriotic  celebrations  of  our  national  birthday  anniversary — 
the  Fourth  of  July— by  all  American  residents  of  "old 
Stamboul,"  at  some  point  like  the  lovely  valley  of  the  "  Heav 
enly  Waters  "  of  Asia,  or  the  "  Sweet  Waters  "  of  Europe, 
the  verdant  meadows  sprinkled  all  over  with  rainbow  hues, 
in  groups  of  gay  Turkish  matrons  with  their  offspring  and 
attendants,  "  making  kefe  " — health — upon  the  green-sward, 
beneath  the  lofty  trees ;  or,  perchance,  the  broader  plain  of 
Beyukdere  was  selected,  and  our  beautiful  banner  of  "  Stars 
and  Stripes,"  flung  out  its  azure  and  crimson  folds  upon  the 


nious,  and  productive  of  good  to  the  cause  of  evangelization  among 
the  various  races  of  the  Turkish  Empire. 

It  may  not  be  amiss,  in  this  connection,  to  note  the  "  Constantino 
ple  Ladies'  Association  ;"  a  union  evangelical  society  for  the  promo 
tion  of  Christian  education  among  the  Jewish  women  of  the  various 
communities  at  the  Capital.  This  Society  originated  during  the 
Crimean  War,  when  a  thousand  Jews  were  driven  by  the  bombard 
ment  of  Kertch,  to  seek  a  refuge  beneath  the  sheltering  wings  of  the 
Ottoman  Empire  (as  did  the  Jews  of  Spain  in  1492,  when  the  so-called 
"gentle  and  virtuous"  Isabella,  the  founder  of  the  terrible  Spanish 
Inquisition,  pitilessly  caused  their  expulsion  from  the  sunny  South  !) 

It  was  organized  under  the  patronage  of  the  Viscountess  deRadcliffe, 
with  the  Countess  de  Zuylen  de  Nyevelt  as  president  ;  the  vice- 
presidents  and  other  officers  being  chosen  from  the  various  Scotch, 
English,  and  American  ladies  resident  at  Constantinople  ;  and  meet 
ing  monthly  for  conference  and  prayer,  most  frequently  at  the  palace 
of  the  Dutch  Legation.  A  school  for  the  younger  children  was 
opened  under  the  direction  of  Lady  Alicia  Blackwood,  who,  with 
Dr.  Blackwood,  spent  a  year  of  Christian  service  at  Stamboul  during 
the  war.  The  ladies  of  the  Association  opened  a  school  for  the  larger 
Jewish  girls,  and  undertook  the  work  of  religious  instruction  and 
teaching  needle-work  (in  German),  though  it  involved  much  personal 
inconvenience  and  real  self  denial,  to  wade  through  the  deep  mud 
and  encounter  the  heavy  storms  of  that  winter.  But  when  anyone  was 
unavoidably  detained,  the  Hon.  Miss  Canning  kindly  filled  the  vacant 
place,  in  addition  to  her  own  allotted  days  of  attendance,  often  spen  j- 
ing  two,  and  even  three  days  a  week  in  this  true  missionary  work, 
and  rejoicing  in  results  which  gave  hopeful  indications  for  the  future. 


268  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

breeze,  from  the  topmost  branches  of  the  great  oak  under 
which  Sir  Godfrey  encamped  with  his  crusaders  so  long 
ago!  And  we  sang  "Hail  Columbia,  happy  land;"  the 
"  Star  Spangled  Banner;"  "  God  bless  our  native  land  ;"  and 
other  national  airs  and  anthems,  with  even  intenser  love  and 
devotion  to  our  country,  for  the  years  of  voluntary  exile  in  a 
foreign  land ;  and  listened  to  brief  speeches,  which  were  es 
pecially  helpful  to  the  younger  scions  of  our  Anglo-Saxon 
race,  bom  beneath  Eastern  skies,  but  still  retaining  their 
inherited  birthright  as  American  citizens.* 

And    now    the   mind    rapidly    recalls    the    many    general 


*  On  one  of  these  occasions,  the  "Cumberland  "  was  in  port,  and 
her  gallant  commander,  Commodore  Stringham,  courteously  invited 
all  the  American  missionaries  and  their  families  to  visit  his  ship.  At 
the  time  appointed,  a  goodly  company  gathered  at  the  wharf  ;  boats 
were  sent  off,  and  when  their  officers  stepped  on  shore,  and  politely 
saluted  us,  the  crowd  of  wondering  Orientals  received  a  new  lesson 
concerning  the  "Americanlees  ! "  As  soon  as  all  were  seated,  the 
word  was  given,  "push  off,"  and  away  we  went,  rocking  on  the  blue 
waters  beneath  our  beautiful  flag,  while  the  band  on  the  noble  ship 
commenced  playing  a  national  air,  which  thrilled  every  heart.  The 
Commodore  and  his  officers  received  us  with  the  grace  and  polish 
which  marks  the  "  finished  gentlemen  "  of  our  navy  ;  and  after  sur 
veying  that  exquisitely  kept  "  man-of  war,"  in  all  its  burnished  bright 
ness,  we  partook  of  a  sumptuous  collation,  while  the  band  discoursed 
excellent  music. 

When  this  delightful  episode  in  our  ordinary  experience  was 
ended,  and  we  were  once  more  rocking  in  the  ship's  boats,  a  parting 
strain  of  music  came  to  our  ears  in  the  "  Yankee  Doodle  "  of  by-gone 
days,  followed  by  "  Star  Spangled  Banner  ;"  in  a  moment,  hats  and 
caps  were  off,  and  a  round  of  cheers  from  "  Young  America  "  rent 
the  air  ! 

It  was  a  rare  season  of  enjoyment  to  missionaries  and  their  chil 
dren  from  the  distant  interior;  and  its  memory  was  fresh  and  fragrant 
for  many  a  year,  till  we  heard  that  the  staunch  old  "  Cumberland  " 
had  finally  gone  down  in  our  own  American  waters,  but  with  her 
colors  still  flying  at  the  must  ! 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  269 

convocations  for  prayer  and  praise  in  the  "  American 
chapel "  at  Pera,  (which  was  merely  the  lower  part  of 
a  common  dwelling  house,)  of  various  nationalities,  and 
in  various  languages,  when  the  house  of  worship  was 
too  small  to  accommodate  all  who  thronged  to  partici 
pate  in  the  exercises,  where,  not  many  years  before,  but  two 
or  three  Armenians  were  wont  to  be  present !  Ordinations, 
when  an  elder  Armenian  brother  in  the  ministry  bade  his 
young  "  kinsman,  according  to  the  flesh,"  God-speed  ;  and 
"  charged  him  to  show  himself  a  workman  that  needeth  not 
to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth."  Wed 
dings,  when  pupils  trained  in  both  schools  were  united,  to 
go  forth  as  home-missionaries  among  their  own  people,  even 
to  the  most  distant,  and  the  darkest  portions  of  the  land. 
And  the  national  Thanksgiving  day,  of  the  Armenian  Protes 
tants,  publicly  observed  each  December,  with  suitable  relig 
ious  services,  in  commemoration  of  their  religious  liberty, 
secured  by  a  special  Firman  from  the  "  Sublime  Porte," 
through  the  efforts  of  missionaries,  and  the  intervention  of 
the  representatives  of  the  British  and  American  Govern 
ments.  But  how  vain  and  bewildering  is  the  attempt  to 
gather  up  in  one  strand  the  separate  and  severed  threads 
which  have  woven  the  daily  and  yearly  web  of  life,  so 
thickly  fraught  with  events  full  of  significance  in  the  history 
of  a  Mission,  and  of  individuals  ! 

There  are  scenes  in  the  picture-gallery  of  the  mind,  whose 
faintest  outlines  have  been  burnt  into  the  very  soul,  by  a 
photographer  more  powerful  than  the  Sun !  There  are  vol 
umes  of  unwritten  history,  and  battle-fields  of  mental  con 
flicts  and  conquests  unseen  by  any  eye  save  that  of 
the  Recording  Angel  !  Families  have  been  broken, 


2/O  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

and  scattered  ;  children  have  grown  and  left  the  pa 
rental  roof  to  pursue  their  studies  in  the  home -land; 
and,  now  and  then,  one  has  returned  to  aid  in  teaching  the 
younger  brothers  and  sisters.  New  workers  have  come  to 
take  the  places  of  those  who  have  fallen  by  the  way,  and 
fresh  fields  have  opened  on  every  side.  The  pioneer,  who, 
in  the  dawn  of  early  manhood,  was  sent,  in  1830,  to 
"  spy  out  the  land,"*  might  well  say,  like  one  of  old,  "  With 
my  staff  I  passed  over  this  Jordan,  and  now  I  am  become 
two  (yes,  three)  bands!"  For  the  mission  has  been  thrice 
divided  since  its  formation ;  instead  of  "  The  Armenian  Mis 
sion,"  there  are  now,  "  The  Western,"  "Eastern,"  and  "South 
ern  Turkey  Armenian  Missions,"  besides  the  new  Bulgarian 
Mission  in  European  Turkey.  How  has  the  "  little  one 
become  a  thousand,  and  a  small  one  a  strong  nation!" 
What  a  living  fountain  of  truth  has  sprung  up  in  the  old  city 
of  Constantine,  and  Chrysostom,  in  the  press,  with  its  various 
agencies,  sending  its  life-giving  streams  to  the  remotest  parts 
of  the  land !  True,  a  few  "  little  foxes  "  have  threatened 
harm  to  the  "  tender  vines  "  and  promising  fruit  of  the  cen 
tral  vineyard,  causing  pain  and  searchings  of  heart  among 
the  most  faithful  of  its  laborers.  ("  Oh,  for  a  persecution,  as 
in  the  early  days  of  the  mission!"  sighs  one  of  the  ardent 
elder  brothers,  to  "  fan  into  a  flame  every  spark  of  grace  left 
in  the  hearts  of  those  converts  who  seem  to  have  forgotten 
their  first  love  !"  "  O  Lord,"  prays  one  of  the  "  fathers,"  in 
unfeigned  humility,  "  If  we  are  a  hinderance  to  Thy  work, 
take  us  out  of  the  way !  'Send  by  whom  Thou  wilt  send,' 
but  let  not  Thy  cause  suffer  loss  through  our  infirmity!") 

*  The  Rev.  II.  G.  O.  Dwight,  D.D. 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  2/1 

But  occasional  reverses  in  missionary  work  may  be  only  the 
necessary  discipline  and  training  of  the  missionaries — "  God's 
husbandry  " — for  a  higher  sphere,  and  a  nobler  service,  in  the 
life  beyond,  when  their  "  appointed  time  "  and  work  on 
earth  is  ended-  "  Seed-time  and  harvest,  cold  and  heat, 
summer  and  winter,  day  and  night,"  will  not  fail  in  the  spir 
itual  more  than  the  natural  kingdom  of  our  God  :  And  the 
"  Watchman  of  Israel  "  hath  said  of  His  own  earthly  vine 
yard,  "  I  the  Lord  do  keep  it :  I  will  water  it  every  moment ; 
lest  any  hurt  it  I  will  keep  it  night  and  day."  Therefore, 
tremble  not,  faint  heart,  for  the  kingdom  of  the  Lord  !  "  Be 
not  afraid,  nor  dismayed ;  for  the  battle  is  not  yours,  but 
God's." 

THE  PAST  AND    THE   PRESENT. 

As  a  sudden  flash  of  lightning  lifts  the  curtain  of 
night,  and  reveals  the  minutest  objects  in  a  widely-extended 
landscape,  so  faithful  memory,  in  some  rare  moment,  draws 
aside  the  veil,  and  the  mental  vision  travels  backward  with  a 
speed  surpassing  the  swiftly-rolling  spheres  in  their  courses. 

But  we  come  back  again  to  the  realities  of  every-day  exist 
ence,  and  take  up  the  thread  just  where  it  was  dropped,  very 
much  like  the  rescued  drowning  man,  who,  in  the  brief  mo 
ments  of  apparent  oblivion,  has  been  startled  by  a  vivid  por 
traiture  of  all  the  events  and  feeling  of  his  life  :  scenes  long 
overlaid  in  the  mind  by  the  accumulated  soil,  and  drift 
wood  borne  on  the  busy  current  of  the  work-day  world- 

We  are  passing  Therapia,  and  Beuykdere, — our  last  familiar 
way-marks — and  must  take  a  farewell  look  at  the  summer 
homes  of  Scotch  and  English  friends,  the  well-known  country 
seats  of  the  different  "  Legations,"  and  the  old  Greek  palace 
where  a  few  happy  days  were  spent  in  the  commencement  of 


THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


our  missionary  life :  and  now  we  are  steaming  around 
"Giant's  Mountain,"  and,  swiftly  passing  between  the  huge 
ancient  sentinels  which  guard  the  passage,  enter  the  Euxine. 
Looking  around  to  see  who  are  our  fellow-passengers,  we  are 
particularly  attracted  by  a  stately  Turk,  evidently  of  the  "  old 
school,"  who  is  earnestly  conversing,  in  his  own  tongue,  with  a 
"  Frank"  gentleman.  His  appearance  is  very  striking  as  he 
stands  near  by,  holding  a  long  pipe  ot  rare  workmanship  in  his 
left  hand,  while  with  the  right  he  occasionally  givds  emphasis  to 
his  words.  His  tall,  commanding  person  is  rendered  more 
regal  by  a  flowing,  fur-lined  robe  of  the  finest  texture,  and  a 
Damascus  blade  gleams  from  the  rich  folds  of  his  cashmere 
girdle.  The  full  turban  of  many  colors  which  crowns  his  head 
is  also  of  the  costliest  cashmere.  As  we  glance  at  the  finely- 
cut  features,  the  noble  beard  of  silvery  whiteness,  and  note  the 
kingly  bearing  of  this  haughty  Osmanli,  it  is  easy  to  fancy  that 
some  Sultan,  or  Grand  Vizier  of  olden  time  is  before  us.  Now 
his  countenance  lights  up  with  a  glow  of  animation,  and  again 
a  look  of  ineffable  scorn  plays  over  his  face,  as  he  speaks  of 
"the  signs  of  the  times,"  the  ruin  which  is  coming  to  his 
country  through  the  innovations  introduced  by  foreigners,  such 
as  steamers,  modern  ships-of-war,  etc.,  etc.  He  says  that  the 
nation  is  "  doomed  ;"  "the  end  is  soon  coming ;  there  is  no 
hope  for  the  world."  And  when  told  that  he  and  his  nation  are 
only  standing  still,  while  all  the  rest  of  the  civilized  world  is 
moving  on  in  the  march  of  progress,  he  gives  that  pecu 
liar  shrug  of  the  shoulder  and  a  toss  of  the  head,  which 
conveys  more  plainly  than  words  his  view  of  the  hopelessness 
of  the  case  ;  thus  ending  the  conversation,  while,  with  all  the 
stolidity  of  his  race,  he  resigns  himself  to  the  soothing, 
benumbing  influence  of  the  inevitable  pipe.  This  incident  is 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  2/3 


to  us  strikingly  significant  of  the  condition  of  the  entire  Turkish 
nation — drifting,  drifting,  they  know  not  whiihcr  !  And  while 
their  proud  hearts  are  stung  with  a  sense  of  conscious  weakness 
and  dependence  upon  foreign  powers,  whom  they  inwardly 
despise,  they  passively  say,  like  the  people  of  old,  "  Come,  let 
us  eat  and  drink,  for  to-morrow  we  die." 

Ey-and  by  we  notice  our  lordly  Turk  upon  his  knees  on  a 
Persian  rug  spread  by  his  obsequious  servant,  where,  having 
satisfied  himself  as  to  the  points  of  compass,  he  is  going 
through  his  usual  prostrations  and  forms  of  evening  worship  to 
the  one  God,  looking  toward  Mecca,  the  Jerusalem  of  his  hopes, 
and  apparently  oblivious  of  the  crowd  that  surrounds  him. 
The  wind  freshens,  and  those  who  suffered  little  in  crossing  the 
ocean,  are  compelled  to  pay  double  tribute  to  old  Neptune  on 
this  notedly  stormy  sea.  On  the  morning  of  the  third  day  of 
our  short  voyage  we  reach  Samsoon,  our  destined  port.  A 
little  white  tent  is  glistening  upon  the  hill  above  the  English 
consulate,  and  there,  for  three  days,  a  faithful  missionary 
brother  from  Marsovan  has  eagerly  watched  for  our  arrival, 
forewarned  by  the  vigilance  of  Dr.  Anderson,  the  Foreign 
Secretary  of  the  Board,  of  the  danger  and  risk  we  should  incur 
in  staying  even  one  night  in  a  place  so  notorious  for  its  poison 
ous  malaria.  Our  steamer  has  scarcely  dropped  anchor  in  the 
harbor  before  his  glass  apprises  him  of  the  fact.  Ere  long  we 
see  him  waving  his  hat  in  a  little  boat,  which  is  soon  alongside, 
and  he  leaps  on  board  with  outstretched  hand  and  a  warm 
welcome  in  our  own  sweet  mother  tongue — more  precious  than 
those  can  understand  who  have  never  led  a  pilgrim-life  in  a 
strange  land.  After- getting  our  luggage  through  the  Custom 
house,  Air.  Leonard  very  considerately  seeks  a  quiet  point 
where  we  may  land,  away  from  the  din  and  confusion  of  the 
12* 


274  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

busy  wharf  and  the  filthy  town.  It  is  delightful  to  spring  out  of 
the  boat  upon  the  beach  and  rest  beneath  the  friendly  shade  of  an 
overhanging  tree,  where  a  caravan  of  camels  are  browsing ;  and 
we  walk  through  green  fields  to  the  house  of  the  English  Consul, 
who,  with  his  wife,  has  kindly  offered  to  entertain  us.  We  are 
deeply  interested  in  the  romantic  history  of  our  lovely  and 
accomplished  hostess.  She  is  a  Greek  by  birth,  and  her 
parents  were  among  the  hapless  victims  of  the  horrible 
massacre  in  the  island  of  Scio,  which  made  of  that  enchanting 
paradise  a  "desolation  and  a  wilderness,  where  no  man 
dwelleth."  Her  brother  and  herself,  then  little  children,  were 
sold  as  slaves  by  the  cruel  Turks,  but  they  fortunately  fell  into 
the  hands  of  a  British  Consul  who  was  stationed  at  Algiers. 
He  redeemed  the  little  captives,  and  educated  them  with  his 
own  children.  In  process  of  time  the  young  Greek  girl 
developed  into  a  very  charming  maiden,  and  the  eldest  son  of 
her  benefactor  became  in  turn  her  captive.  After  a  suitable 
amount  of  baffled  hopes  and  heart-history  on  both  sides,  he 
succeeded  in  winning  the  prize,  and  they  seem  very  happy  in 
their  isolated  home.  Their  two  boys  are  away  at  school  in 
England,  and  the  little  Ferida  is  the  pet  of  the  household.  She 
was  baptized  by  Mr.  Leonard,  a  friend  standing  as  godmother 
by  proxy,  for  one  of  Queen  Victoria's  maids  of  honor. 

THE  JOURNEY  OVERLAND. 

After  an  early*  dinner,  our  horses  are  brought,  and  we 
bid  our  friends  good-bye,  as  we  turn  our  faces  towards  the 
wilderness.  Three  hours  of  slow  travel  to  the  south-west, 
completes  the  first  stage  of  our  journey.  • 

The  sun  has  gone  down  behind  the  mountains,  and  our 
sent  is  pitched  upo.i  a  grassy  slope  at  the  foot  of  a  hill. 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  2/5 


Sarkis  builds  a  little  fire  at  one  side,  and  makes  a  refreshing 
cup  of  tea ;  and  Mr.  Leonard  brings  forth  sundry  deli 
cacies  provided  by  his  good  wife,  and  a  folding  table,  im 
provised  for  the  occasion,  something  like  a  campstool,  only 
higher,  upon  which  we  spread  our  cloth  and  the  dainty  re 
past,  for  which  our  ride  had  given  us  a  keen  appetite. 
And  while  we  chat  around  our  humble  "board,"  we  "en 
vy  not  earth's  kings  with  all  their  little  trifling  things." 
Our  beds  are  made,  and  Mr.  Leonard  is  busy  in  swinging 
his  hammock  from  a  tree  near  by. 

Sitting  in  the  door  of  the  tent,  we  listen  to  the  voices  of 
the  night.  The  tinkling  of  bells  upon  a  neighboring  hill 
side,  where  shepherds  are  watching  their  flocks ;  the  lazy 
droning  of  the  insect  world,  or  occasional  faint  notes  of 
mother-birds  who  are  putting  their  little  ones  to  sleep, 
and  leading  their  evening  song  of  worship  !  The  soft  rip 
ple  of  a  little  brook  falls  with  soothing  cadence  upon  the 
ear,  and  the  stars  come  out,  one  by  one,  and  look  lovingly 
down  upon  the  peaceful  scene.  The  very  air  is  full  of 
sweet  content;  and  involuntarily  we  chant  the  shepherd's 
Psalm :  "  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd ;  I  shall  not  want. 
He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures ;  he  leadeth 
me  beside  the  still  waters."  We  cannot  stop  there;  and 
continue  the  sweet  refrain  :  "  He  restoreth — reneweth — my 
soul ;  he  leadeth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for  His 
name's  (Love's)  sake.  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  val 
ley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil ;  for  thou  art 
with  me ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me.  Thou 
preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence  of  mine  enemies ; 
thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil ;  my  cup  runneth  over. 
Surely,  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of 


276  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

my  life;  and  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  (Heaven) 
for  ever." 

And  when  we  "lay  us  down"  in  peace  to  rest,  we  remem 
ber  the  faithful  promise  of  the  great  Shepherd  of  Israel  :  "I 
will  cause  the  evil  beasts  to  cease  out  of  the  land ;  and 
they  shall  dwell  safely  in  the  wilderness,  and  sleep  in  the 
woods." 

Rising  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  the  tent  is  taken 
down  while  we  are  eating  our  simple  breakfast.  The  light 
reveals  the  fact  that  my  little  traveling  bedstead  was  set 
over,  and  /«,  a  nest  of  red  ants ;  and  it  solves  a  midnight 
mystery,  for  the  little  creatures  fiercely  resented  the  in 
trusion,  and  their  sharp  stings  burnt  like  so  many  coals  of 
fire  !  Mariam  had  spread  her  bed  upon  a  carpet,  in  another 
place,  and  fortunately  escaped.  We  jog  along,  hour  after 
hour,  a  distance  of  twenty  miles  ;  the  country  is  pleasant 
and  picturesque,  and  tree?,  shrubs,  and  streams  of  water  are 
abundant.  Now  and  then  we  dismount,  and  leading  our 
horses,  walk  awhile  for  a  change,  gathering  the  flowers  that 
grow  by  the  wayside  ; — the  ground  is  blue,  in  many  places, 
with  a  profusion  of  the  wild  larkspur,  and  gay  with  poppies, 
pinks,  peonies,  pheasant's  eye,  verbena,  heliotrope,  and  other 
plants,  which  are  carefully  cultivated  in  gardens  at  home, 
but  spring  up  spontaneously  in  this  region  of  the  Black  Sea; 
• — occasionally,  a  snatch  of  some  old  song  beguiles  the 
monotony  of  the  way ;  or,  one  whose  horse  is  more  spirited, 
dashes  off  into  a  full  gallop,  and  is  soon  lost  to  sight;  while 
another  plies  the  whip  to  follow  suit,  and  is  only  rewarded 
by  a  weary  arm,  for  the  stubborn  beast  will  not  budge  an 
inch  faster  than  the  "  pack  horses,"  who  carry  the  "loads." 

By-and-by  the  favored  one  returns  with  equal  speed,  and 


REGIONS   BEYOND. 


many  pleasant  demonstrations,  hair  flying  in  the  wind,  eyes 
sparkling,  and  face  glowing  with  the  exercise ;  thus  goes  the 
day.  We  spend  the  night  at  a  rude  mud  khan,  and  take  our 
first  lesson  in  the  accommodations  offered  by  the  best  hotels 
of  the  land  ! 

Everything  and  everybody  (except  the  horses)  is  piled 
into  one  nondescript  room,  and  we  make  the  best  of  the 
situation.  But  when  we  try  to  sleep, — alas  !  for  the  begin 
ning  of  woes  !  The  first  part  of  the  programme  is  a  canine 
concert,  which  exceeds  anything  we  have  ever  heard  or 
imagined,  of  its  kind.  It  is  midnight  before  one  woe  is 
past,  when,  lo  !  another  cometh  !  A  strange  "  kartijee, "  or 
driver,  plants  himself  on  a  box  beneath  our  open  window, 
and  improvises  a  serenade  (for  our  special  benefit,  no  doubt) 
which  is  simply  infernal  ! 

At  first,  we  are  amused,  as  well  as  provoked,  but  as  the 
hideous  howling  and  growling  goes  on,  now  rising,  now 
falling,  with  an  occasional  interval  of  silence  which  inspires 
the  hope  that  it  is  only  doomed  to  bitter  disappointment,  as  he 
again  takes  up  the  atrocious  strain,  it  becomes  excruciating ! 
Remonstrances  from  the  "  effendi  "  produce  no  effect,  and 
the  night  is  slowly  wearing  away.  But  at  last,  Sarkis  be 
comes  desperate,  and  suddenly  hurls  a  heavy  boot  at  the 
offender ;  a  forcible  argument,  which  effectually  quenches 
his  musical  ardor,  and  sudden  silence  ensues  ! 

The  khan  is  "  a  good  place  to  go  from  ;  "  we  start  on  our 
way  long  before  sunrise,  for  it  is  Saturday,  and  we  have  yet 
thirty  miles  of  travel  before  us.  It  is  a  long  and  weary 
day,  with  only  one  break  in  our  line  of  march,  when  we 
take  a  brief  rest,  and  eat  our  luncheon  in  the  refreshing 
shade  of  a  grove  of  oaks;  for  the  August  heat  is  very 


278  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

oppressive,  and  continuous  riding  in  the  sun  produces  an 
overpowering  languor.  But  nothing  can  exceed  the  kindness 
of  our  missionary  escort ;  his  delicate  appreciation,  and  an 
ticipation  of  all  our  wants,  awakens  the  deepest  gratitude. 
We  have  a  spice  of  adventure  towards  the  close  of  our 
journey  :  When  within  four  hours'  distance  of  Marsovan, 
word  is  given  of  a  band  of  robbers,  who  attacked  a  caravan 
the  last  night ;  and  Mr.  Leonard  stops  at  the  nearest  village 
to  secure  a  guard.  He  succeeds  in  getting  a  foot-soldier 
only,  the  rest  being  out  in  pursuit  of  the  robbers.  Much  of 
our  way  now  lies  through  a  wild  and  romantic  region, 
among  frowning  rocks,  and  steep  precipices,  fit  places  to 
shelter  a  lawless  banditti.  In  the  course  of  an  hour  or  two, 
we  learn  that  the  band  has  been  chased  over  the  mountains ; 
the  soldier  departs,  and  we  go  on  our  way  rejoicing.  As  we 
descend  into  the  plain,  we  meet  strings  of  rude  wagons, 
drawn  by  oxen,  or  buffaloes.  Their  coming  is  announced 
long  before  they  make  their  appearance,  by  an  indescribable 
groaning  and  creaking,  and  sharp,  shrieking  sounds,  which 
grate  and  jar  upon  the  sensitive  ear,  like  the  working  of  a 
coarse  file.  This  accompaniment  is  supposed  to  be  highly 
relished  by  the  animals,  and  pieces  of  iron  are  inserted  in 
the  ponderous  wheels  of  each  vehicle,  for  the  express  pur 
pose  of  producing  it  ! 

MARSOVAN. 

The  city  is  seen  in  the  distance,  built  upon  a  gentle 
acclivity,  and  surrounded  by  pleasant  vineyards,  and  waving 
fields  of  grain.  An  amphitheatre  of  lofty  hills,  or  young 
mountains,  rises  around  the  plain,  now  robed  in  blue  mist, 
and  now  tinged  with  rainbow  hues  from  the  setting  sun. 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  279 


The  last  hour  seems  interminable  ;  night  settles  down  upon 
us  as  we  pass  by  tall  hedge-rows,  and  beneath  the  spreading 
branches  of  lofty  trees,  skirting  the  town.  Fancy  takes  the 
reins,  and  pictures  nobl6  avenues,  leading  to  many  an  elegant 
and  illuminated  mansion,  or  "  Palace  Beautiful,"  of  the  land 
we  have  left  behind ;  and  Prudence,  Piety,  and  Charity  com 
ing  forth  to  meet  the  way-worn  travelers,  with  the  words  : 
"  Come  in,  thou  blessed  of  the  Lord  !  this  house  was  built 
by  the  Lord  of  the  hill,  on  purpose  to  entertain  such  pil 
grims  in." 

But  we  pass  on  in  silence,  turning  street  after  street,  un- 
cheered  by  gleaming  lights,  or  words  of  welcome.  At  last, 
a  door  is  reached ;  it  opens,  and  we  ride  in ;  the  lantern 
which  throws  its  dim  light  upon  the  dark  mud  walls,  discov 
ers  a  common,  dreary  court-yard.  But  we  have  scarcely 
alighted  upon  the  ground,  almost  too  weary  to  stand,  ere  a 
sister's  arms  are  around  us,  and  her  joyful  welcome  greets 
our  ear ! 

Another  moment,  and  the  beloved  Markared  flings  herself 
into  our  arms,  weeping  and  laughing  by  turns  in  her  joy  at 
meeting  her  teacher ;  and,  child-like,  clinging  fast,  while  we 
pass  through  a  dark,  inner  court,  and  up  a  flight  of  stairs 
into  the  warmth  and  light  of  the  missionary  home ! 

The  purity  and  sweetness  of  the  little  parlor  causes 
us  to  pause  at  the  open  door.  After  our  experience  in 
a  Turkish  khan,  it  seems  like  entering  heaven  !  We  look 
down  upon  our  travel  -  stained  and  dusty  apparel,  with  a 
sense  of  unfitness,  almost  expecting  to  hear  one  say, 
"  Friend,  how  earnest  thou  in  hither,  not  having  a  wedding 
garment?"  But  loving  hands  draw  us  in,  and  spread  the 
snowy  pillows  for  our  repose  upon  the  inviting  divan,  where 


280  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


exhausted  nature  quickly  loses  itself  in  a  blessed  sleep.  It 
seems  but  a  moment,  when  we  are  gently  awakened,  and 
summoned  to  partake  of  needful  refreshment.  It  is  all  so 
like  a  dream,  a  vision  of  enchantment ;  and  we  rub  our  eyes 
to  assure  ourselves  of  the  gracious  reality Are  we  in 
deed  in  the  heart  of  Asia  Minor,  or  is  this  a  table  spread  for 
us  in  one  of  the  dear  old  homes  of  our  loved  fatherland  ? 
The  dazzling  whiteness  of  the  cloth,  the  glitter  of  the  table- 
furniture,  the  vase  of  sweet  flowers  in  the  centre,  the  white 
and  brown  bread,  the  yellow  butter,  creamy  cake,  and  the 
dainty  fruit,  with  the  more  substantial  roasted  fowl,  and 
feathery  potatoes,  and  the  fragrant  tea,  with  its  delicious 
cream  !  Our  hearts  swell  with  loyal  pride  in  a  country  whose 
representative  sons  and  daughters  can  thus,  by  the  labor  of 
their  own  hands,  and  the  exercise  of  taste  and  ingenuity,  more 
potent  than  gold,  gather  around  them  the  comforts  of  an 
American  home;  transforming  a  mud  hovel  into  a  palace, 
and  a  howling  wilderness  into  a  very  garden  of  Eden ! 

Truly,  "  the  solitary  place  "  may  well  be  "  glad  for  them," 
and  the  "desert  rejoice  and  blossom  as  a  rose!"  If  one 
ever  realizes  the  blessedness  of  a  Christian  home,  it  is  in 
such  a  translation  as  this  of  ours.  The  rare  and  refined 
courtesy  and  grace  which  presides  over  every  arrangement, 
adds  a  double  charm  to  our  new  surroundings;  and  our 
hearts  are  filled  with  the  melody  of  thanksgiving ;  truly,  our 
<:cup  runneth  over" 

"  When  the  worn  spirit  wants  repose, 

And  si^hs  her  (Jod  to  seek, 
How  sweet  to  hail  the  evening's  close 
That  ends  the  weary  week." 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  28l 


THE    WORK. 

The  cry  of  the  muezzin  from  the  minaret  of  a  neighboring 
mosque,  calling  the  faithful  to  prayers,  is  the  first  sound  that 
breaks  the  stillness  o£  the  sweet  Sabbath  morn.  It  is  the 
signal  selected  by  the  Protestants  for  their  early  morning 
worship ;  and  looking  out  of  the  window,  we  see  them  hast 
ening  to  the  place  of  prayer.  The  chapel  is  on  the  ground- 
floor,  below  the  rooms  occupied  by  the  missionary  family. 
It  is  a  long,  low  room,  with  several  good-sized  windows 
looking  out  upon  the  little  garden  on  one  side,  and  two  or 
three  very  small  ones  near  the  ceiling,  on  the  side  next 
the  street.  The  walls  are  whitewashed,  and  the  floor  is 
covered  with  coarse  sackcloth.  A  space  at  one  side  is 
slightly  partitioned  off  for  the  women,  and  a  table  standing 
upon  a  little  platform  at  the  end  opposite  the  door,  serves  as 
a  pulpit.  The  place  is  well  filled  ;  there  are  nearly  two 
hundred  present;  strong,  hearty,  independenMooking  people, 
mostly  sitting  upon  the  floor,  though  there  are  a  few  clumsy 
chairs  and  a  bench  of  native  workmanship,  occupied  by  the 
chief  dignitaries  of  the  place.  The  second  service  is  con 
ducted  by  preacher  Yeghia,  and  the  opening  exercises  are  just 
concluded,  when  the  wife  of  the  head-man  of  the  Protestant 
community  makes  her  tardy  appearance,  pushing  her  way  to 
the  front,  and  with  motherly  pride,  holding  aloft  her  boy,  a 
child  six  months  old.  The  little  fellow  looks  comical  enough, 
tricked  out  in  a  full  military  suit  of  blue  cloth,  with  standing 
collar,  and  big  brass  buttons  to  the  swallow-tailed  coat !  The 
father  has  recently  returned  from  Stamboul,  bringing  his 
"  first-born  son  "  an  outfit  which  shall  excite  the  admiration 
and  emulation  of  all  the  community.  But  the  incongruity 


282  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


does  not  seem  to  affect  the  people,  and  after  the  momentary 
bustle,  their  attention  is  given  to  the  sermon.  It  is  very  pleas 
ant  to  see  so  many  Bibles  opened  when  the  chapter  is  read 
and  the  text  given.  A  full  chorus  of  voices  join  in  singing  a 
hymn  to  the  good  old  tune  of  Balerma,  at  the  close.  The 
Sunday-School  is  very  interesting.  On  one  side  are  from 
fifty  to  eighty  women  and  girls,  and  on  the  other,  the  men 
and  boys,  divided  into  ten  classes.  In  one  corner  sits  our 
own  Markared — a  pearl  among  her  countrywomen,  as  her 
name  signifies — surrounded  by  a  large  class  of  girls,  her  fair 
face  beaming  out  from  the  white  sheet  which  is  thrown  over 
her  head.  The  offer  of  a  Testament  from  the  "  badveli  "  has 
inspired  a  number  of  boys  and  girls  to  commit  to  memory 
certain  portions  of  Scripture.  Markared  says  that  two  boys 
and  six  girls  have  committed  the  first  fourteen  chapters  of 
Matthew,  and  can  repeat  them  without  mistake.  Four  other 
girls  have  learned  from  five  to  eight  chapters ;  and  one  wo 
man  who  has  lately  received  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it,  has 
learned  five  chapters  in  Turkish,  by  herself,  and  says  that 
she  is  going  to  learn  the  whole  of  the  Gospel  of  Matthew. 
Only  a  year  ago,  some  of  these  boys  and  girls  thought  it  hard 
to  learn  the  usual  lesson  of  seven  verses  !  When  they  are 
all  ready,  a  special  assembly  will  be  called  to  hear  them, 
and  the  prizes  will  be  awarded.  The  interest  of  the  people 
in  that  public  exercise  is  very  marked,  and  gratifying  to  both 
teachers  and  pupils. 

During  the  week,  Markared  occupies  one  end  of  the  chapel 
for  a  school-room,  and  eighteen  or  more  large  girls  and  young 
married  women  come  to  her  for  instruction  from  three  to 
four  hours  each  day.  This  is  a  new  thing  for  Marsovan, 
and  the  school  is  looked  upon  as  a  "peculiar  institution." 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  283 


Besides  the  common  primary  branches,  she  teaches  them  to 
sing  by  note,  and  initiates  them  in  the  mysteries  of  crochet, 
worsted,  and  needle-work. 

Mr.  Leonard's  study  is  quite  remote  from  the  family 
rooms,  reached  by  a  flight  of  stairs  from  the  outer  court. 
He  is  busy  from  morning  till  night,  scarcely  ever  taking  off 
the  harness.  Turks  and  Armenians  alike  call  to  read  and 
converse  with  him  at  all  hours  of  the  day.  An  old  Imaum, 
or  Turkish  priest,  comes  quite  often.  Native  helpers  come 
to  report  or  consult  concerning  their  work  in  the  various  out- 
stations  ;  and  others  write  frequent  letters,  which  require 
special  attention. 

Markared  often  renders  valuable  assistance  in  translating 
these  letters  from  Armenian  into  Turkish — Mr.  Leonard's 
missionary  language — and  in  making  up  the  monthly  ac 
counts  as  they  come  in  from  the  various  out-stations;  he  says 
that  she  is  worth  more  in  that  line  than  some  of  the  educated 
young  men  whom  he  has  employed. 

Just  now,  he  is  trying  to  reform  and  remodel  the  Prot 
estant  day-school,  teaching  the  teacher  how  to  govern  and 
train  his  pupils ;  and  in  order  to  carry  out  the  new  regula 
tions,  he  is  obliged  to  spend  much  time  in  the  school-room. 
It  required  considerable  moral  courage  on  the  part  of  the 
missionary  to  administer  corporal  punishment  to  two  or  three 
unruly  and  hitherto  unmanageable  boys,  which  he  felt 
obliged  to  do,  although  one  of  them  was  the  son  of  a  head 
man  among  the  "  old  Armenians."  We  were  anxious  for  the 
result,  but  Mr.  L.  was  away  at  sunrise  the  next  morning, 
attending  the  early  session  of  the  school  before  breakfast, 
and  he  found  the  boy  in  his  place,  behaving  much  better 
than  usual. 


284  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


Mrs.  Leonard  also  receives  frequent  calls  from  the  people, 
at  the  other  end  of  the  house.  Many  come  from  mere  curi 
osity,  and  the  sewing-machine  and  melodeon  are  never- 
ceasing  objects  of  wonder  and  delight.  They  gaze  curiously 
at  the  specimens  of  htr  handiwork,  paintings  and  sketches 
upon  the  pure  white  walls  ;  and  the  tables,  and  book-shelves, 
which  Mr.  Leonard  constructed  from  packing-boxes,  and 
Mrs.  L.  stained  or  painted  with  her  own  hands ;  the  car 
pet,  the  chairs,  and  the  cushions  of  the  divan,  the  mus 
lin  curtains  of  the  windows,  and  the  vases  of  flowers,  all 
undergo  a  similar  scrutiny.  But  they  are  never  suffered  to 
leave  without  hearing  the  Word  of  Life.  And  some  of  the 
groups  that  surround  this  missionary  sister  form  a  delight 
ful  picture.  The  wife  of  a  Turkish  effendi,  who  has  learned 
to  read  and  write,  is  greatly  struck  with  the  song,  "  Away, 
away  the  bowl,"  asks  permission  to  copy  it  for  her  husband, 
because  he  is  sometimes  too  free  with  the  '  wine  bowl !' 

Another  Turkish  woman  calls,  who,  greatly  to  our  surprise, 
can  repeat  the  whole  of  one  of  Mr.  Leonard's  sermons,  and 
yet  affirms  that  she  has  never  entered  the  chapel.  "  Well,  then, 
some  one  else  heard  it  and  repeated  it  to  you,"  says  one.  "  No  ; 
no  one  told  me,"  is  the  reply  ;  and,  after  puzzling  us  a  little, 
she  says,  "  I  listened  through  a  chink  in  the  garden  wall,  and 
heard  every  word  !" 

It  is  touching  to  see  the  numbers  of  sick  people  who 
come  to  the  "  hanum  "  for  help.  Mothers  bring  their  little 
ailing  children  that  she  may  prescribe  for  them,  and  they  tell 
their  own  ailments  with  perfect  confidence  in  her  wisdom  and 
skill,  although  she  never  studied  or  practiced  medicine  till  she 
came  to  this  people.  The  other  morning  I  was  surprised  to 
see  several  men  among  those  who  sought  her  aid  ;  but  learned 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  285 


that  she  had  attended  the  husband  of  a  former  servant-wo 
man  during  a  course  of  typhus  fever,  and  carried  him  safely 
through.  This,  of  course,  involved  great  care  and  labor.  She 
could  not  trust  the  family  to  administer  the  medicines,  and 
took  many  a  long  walk  through  the  mud  and  snows  of  the  win 
ter  to  do  it  herself. 

I  am  sometimes  reminded,  at  meal-time,  of  the  experience 
of  our  Savior  and  His  disciples,  when  "  there  were  many  coming 
and  going,  and  they  had  no  leisure  so  much  as  to  eat,"  for  the 
people  throng  around  the  open  passage  between  the  dining- 
room  and  kitchen,  and  the  "  hanum  "  leaves  the  table,  too  busy 
in  attending  to  their  wants  to  heed  her  own.  But  her  happy 
face  shows  that  it  is  her  '*  meat  to  do  the  will  of  Him  who 
sent"  her  to  labor  among  this  people. 

The  favorite  wife  of  a  Turkish  grandee  was  very  ill  not  many 
months  ago,  and  Mrs.  Leonard  was  called  in  haste  to  see  her. 
After  his  wife's  recovery,  the  Effendi  showed  his  gratitude  by 
repeatedly  sending  presents  of  fruits  and  flowers ;  and  when  he 
next  called  upon  the  "  Hoja,"  or  teacher,  begged  permission 
to  see  and  converse  with  "  the  lady."  A  remarkable  request 
for  a  Turk  to  make.  The  sex  in  general  has  been  held  in  such 
low  repute  by  Osmanlis,  that  oftentimes  they  would  sooner 
speak  of  a  dog  than  of  a  woman  ! 

These  faithful  workers  have  been  alone  in  Marsovan  since 
coming  from  Cesarea,  two  years  ago,  and  they  greatly  enjoy  the 
society  and  sympathy  of  a  missionary  sister.  We  have  made  a 
few  calls  among  the  people,  and  are  planning  a  tour  among 
the  villages  during  the  two  or  three  months  of  my  visit. 

A  NE  W  DISPENSA  TION. 

'•  We  should  suspect  some  danger  near 
Where  we  possess  delight," 


286  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


says  the  old  hymn.     And  certainly  the   first  few  weeks  of  my 
stay  in  Marsovan  were  filled  to  the  brim  with  happiness. 

Then  followed  a  severe  illness,  only  warded  off  for  a  season 
by  the  change  and  rest  after  the  closing  up  of  the  Constanti 
nople  dispensation. 

"  So  we  three  went  slowly  down 

To  the  River-side, 
Till  we  stood  in  the  heavy  shadows 

By  the  black,  wild  tide." 

When  the  dear  missionary  brother  and  sister  no  longer 
dared  to  trust  their  own  skill,  and  study  of  medical  books,  a 
messenger  was  despatched  to  Yozgat,  the  nearest  telegraph 
station,  to  summon  the  missionary  physician  from  Sivas,  seven 
days  distant.  "  Posting,"  day  and  night,  he  accomplished  the 
five  days'  journey  in  two,  and,  when  he  had  received  a  telegram 
in  reply,  started  back  as  swiftly  as  he  went.  "  Our  days  are 
swifter  than  a  post "  when  life  moves  on  in  the  even  tenor  of 
its  course  ;  but  when  freighted  with  heavy  fears,  and  dying 
hopes,  as  the  faint  spark  of  life  fades,  and  flickers,  and  seems 
about  to  expire,  while  the  intensely  longed  for  help  comes  not, 
oh,  how  slowly,  slowly  do  the  leaden-winged  hours  and  days 
go  by  ! 

"I  think,  in  a  little  while," 

I  said,  at  length, 
"  I  shall  see  His  face  in  the  City 

Of  everlasting  strength  ; 
And  sit  down  under  the  shadow 

Of  His  smile, 
With  great  delight  and  thanksgiving, 

To  rest  awhile." 

"  One  post  shall  run  to  meet  another."     Four  or  five  days 
have  passed  away,  and   a  second  messenger  is  despatched, 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  28/ 


to  meet  the  first,  and  bring  back  news  of  the  doctor.  At 
last,  he  returns  with  the  joyful  tidings  that  the  "  hakim  "  is 
on  his  way,  and  will  arrive  in  an  hour  or  two ! 

As  the  sun  goes  down,  the  doctor  throws  himself  from  his 
jaded  horse,  and  comes  to  the  relief  of  the  worn-out, 
anxious  watchers,  who  can  scarce  restrain  their  tears  for 
joy,  the  responsibility  has  been  so  great.  But  the  crisis  is 
just  past,  and  the  danger  is  over;  the  life  saved,  Dr.  West 
says,  by  the  prompt  application  of  leeches  to  the  head, 
which  arrested  fatal  inflammation  of  the  brain. 

The  loving  ministration  of  a  tender  mother  could  not 
surpass  the  unwearied  devotion  of  the  friends  who  have 
supplied  the  place  of  those  far  away.  A  part  of  the 
"  hundred  fold  "  promised  to  those  who  have  forsaken  all 
for  Christ's  sake  and  the  Gospel's. 

The  people  have  heard  of  the  "  great  hakim,"  and  Dr. 
West  is  constantly  beset  by  crowds  that,  as  in  the  time  of 
our  Savior,  are  "  taken  with  divers  diseases  and  torments  " ; 
the  halt,  the  maimed,  and  the  blind,  and  those  that  are 
"  possessed"  with, — they  know  not  what !  Within  a  few  days 
he  performs  many  wonderful  surgical  operations,  and  his 
fame  spreads  abroad ;  the  outer  and  inner  court-yard  over 
flow  with  persistent  claimants  upon  his  attention,  and  the 
house  is  in  a  state  of  siege  !  Doors  are  locked,  to  prevent 
people  of  all  sorts  and  conditions  from  swarming  in  every 
part,  like  some  of  the  plagues  of  Egypt !  And  the  tumult  with 
out,  makes  itself  more  or  less  felt  within.  In  the  midst  of 
it  all,  there  comes  a  telegram,  recalling  the  doctor  to  attend 
upon  his  own  sick  child.  The  news  of  his  speedy  departure 
flies  like  wild  fire  through  the  town ;  a  surging  crowd 
speedily  collects  in  the  streets  around  the  missionary  dwell- 


288  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


ing,  each  one  holding  up  his  little  cup,  and  clamoring  for 
medicine  !  The  doctor,  calm  and  undisturbed,  as  usual,  gives 
a  few  directions  to  his  assistant,  promises  the  people  to  train 
one  of  themselves  to  be  their  physician,  mounts  his  horse, 
and  speedily  disappears  for  a  hurried  march  toward  home. 

Then  follows  a  season  of  delicious  quiet,  and  exceeding 
peace.  We  have  had  a  fresh  experience  to  fit  us  for  our  mis 
sionary  work  :  that  Christ  did  actually  die — that  he  "  tasted 
death  for  every  man,"  was  a  revelation  ! 

We  spend  hours  and  days  in  feeding  upon  the  Word, — so 
new,  so  rich  in  meaning,  that  we  are  amazed  at  treasures  we 
never  saw  before !  Priceless  jewels  flash  and  glow  and 
sparkle  from  every  page  of  Holy  Writ,  Sapphires  of  truth, 
rubies  of  love,  diamonds  of  faithfulness,  pearls  of  promises, 
opals  of  light,  emeralds  of  eternity,  and  amethysts  of  royalty  ! 
How  marvelous  that  the  eyes  of  so  many  should  be 
"  holden,"  that  they  cannot  see  these  wondrous  riches,  this 
amazing  wealth  so  lavishly  bestowed  upon  us  by  the  King 
of  kings  !  And  then  we  speak  of  the  King,  "  our  Father," 
and  of  his  Son,  our  Elder  Brother,  "  as  we  are  used  often  to 
speak  one  to  another;  " — 

"  The  Lord  standing  by, 

In  the  shadows  dim, 
Smiling,  perhaps,  in  the  dark,  to  hear 

Our  sweet,  sweet  talk  of  Him." 

As  the  warm  current  of  life  returns  to  its  accustomed 
channels,  the  busy  threads  of  every-day  work  are,  one  by 
one,  taken  up,  and  plans  long  deferred,  are  carried  into 
execution  by  the  faithful  workers  in  this  vineyard  of  the 
Lord. 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  289 


O UR    SURRO  UArZ>IXGS. 

It  is  the  vintage  season  in  Marsovan.  Old  men,  women 
and  children,  are  gathering  in  the  abundant  harvest  of 
grapes,  and  every  avenue  to  the  city  is  thronged  with  horses, 
mules,  and  donkeys,  going  to  and  from  the  vineyards ;  some 
laden  with  huge  baskets  of  the  luscious  fruit,  which 
they  are  conveying  to  the  city,  while  others  are  returning  for 
fresh  supplies.  The  merry  jingle  of  bells,  suspended  from 
the  necks  of  the  animals,  forms  a  rude  accompaniment  to 
the  wild  songs  of  their  drivers.  The  air  resounds  with 
their  shouts  and  rejoicings !  Every  now  and  then  a  poor 
patient  donkey  may  be  seen,  with  a  great  basket  on  either 
side,  and  three  or  four  sturdy  urchins  mounted  between, 
singing  some  merry  vintage  song  at  the  top  of  their  voices, 
while  with  hands  and  feet  they  belabor  the  faithful  beast  to 
quicken  his  pace.  It  is  the  busy,  happy  season  of  the 
year,  a  time  of  joy  and  gladness. 

The  sugar  of  the  grape  is  nearly  all  that  the  people  use 
for  sweetening  their  food,  and  they  prepare  it  by  boiling  the 
juice  to  a  thin,  dark,  slightly  acid  syrup,  called  petmez. 
Another  preparation  has  the  appearance  of  molasses  candy. 
Flour  is  mingled  with  the  petmez,  and  it  is  worked  until 
it  assumes  a  light,  yellowish  color.  Sometimes,  strings  of 
nuts  are  prepared,  and  dipped  into  this  mixture,  after  the 
manner  of  tallow  candles;  these,  when  dried,  are  about 
the  size  of  a  common  cucumber,  and  are  considered  very 
nice  confectionery  by  the  people.  All  the  live-long  night, 
for  weeks  after  the  grapes  are  gathered,  one  may  hear  the 
strokes  of  the  women,  who  are  hard  at  work  in  giving  the 
desired  complexion  to  this  refined  preparation  of  grape- 
'3 


THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


juice.  There  is  no  cessation  in  the  labor  till  the  end 
is  accomplished ;  and  day  and  night  the  city  rings,  from 
end  to  end,  with  the  vigorous  slaps  of  the  unwearied  house 
wives  !  The  wine  is  made  as  in  ancient  times,  men  and 
boys  treading  out  the  grapes  in  great  wooden  troughs. 
The  refuse  is  then  distilled,  by  each  family  of  sufficient 
means,  and  a  strong,  colorless  liquor  obtained  which  is 
termed  rakee ;  it  is  pure  brandy. 

"  Wine  shops  "  were  for  the  first  time  legalized  by  the 
Turkish  government,  during  the  Crimean  war  ;  the  result 
of  unchristian  influence  exerted  by  some  of  the  English  of 
ficers,  in  the  campaign,  appealing  to  self-interest  in  the  sale 
of  licenses,  as  a  source  of  revenue. 

One  always  hears  plenty  of  bacchanalian  songs,  and  maud 
lin  outcries,  in  passing  such  Satanic  pit-holes,  in  any  part  of 
the  country.  But  there  is  little  of  open,  staggering  street- 
drunkenness.  Among  the  people  generally,  "  they  that  be 
drunken,  are  drunken  in  the  night." 

Temperance,  total  abstinence,  is,  however,  recognized  as 
a  part  of  Protestantism. 

It  is  one  of  the  blessed  fruits  of  the  Gospel  leaven  in 
this  land  of  vineyards  and  new  wine.  Mr.  Leonard  has  re 
turned  from  a  week's  tour  among  the  nearest  villages,  and 
once  more  "  we  three  "  ride  out  together  among  the  pleas 
ant  vineyards  and  gardens  surrounding  the  city.  It  is  Oc 
tober  ;  a  subdued,  hazy  light  covers  the  face  of  nature  with 
a  gossamer-like  veil ;  it  plays  upon  the  surface  of  the  moun 
tains,  half  concealing,  half  revealing  their  soft  undulations  ; 
at  sunset,  the  painting  is  too  beautiful  for  words  to  express 
one's  admiration.  And  the  trees,  grand  old  monarchs, 
stretching  out  their  great  arms  so  loftily  and  protectingly, — 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  29! 


they  seem  almost  human,  and  we  love  them  !  One  of  these 
English  walnuts  shades  a  space  of  more  than  fifty  feet  in 
diameter.  The  narrow  paths  of  the  gardens  are  bordered 
by  little  murmuring  streams,  for  purposes  of  irrigation,  and 
as  our  horses  pass  along,  single  file,  we  bend  low  to  avoid 
contact  with  the  drooping  branches  of  the  trees,  and  the 
trailing  vines  which  form  a  thick  bower  overhead.  Wild 
and  luxuriant  hedges  of  clematis  abound,  and  occasionally 
a  mud  wall  enclosure  is  seen.  Here  and  there  is  a  broad, 
open  space,  with  scattered  clumps  of  trees,  and  lovely  views 
from  the  openings ;  and  farther  on,  below  the  town,  is 
a  willow-fringed  brook,  desecrated  by  tanneries,  and  the 
deposits  of  slaughter-houses.  Marsovan  is  certainly  highly 
favored  in  situation  and  climate.  The  air  is  full  of  elec 
tricity  ;  a  delightful  breeze  from  the  Black  Sea  visits  us 
every  day,  and  greatly  modifies  the  heat  of  summer.  Sweep 
ing  through  the  mountain  forests  on  its  way,  it  is  robbed  of 
all  its  harsher  qualities,  and  brings  life  and  healing  on  its 
wings,  making  music  among  the  trees  at  night,  as  soft  and 
soothing  as  a  mother's  lullaby.  With  all  these  natural  ad 
vantages,  the  place  might  be  famous  for  its  healthfullness,  if 
only  the  people  understood,  and  applied,  the  most  common 
sanitary  principles  to  their  surroundings.  But  here,  as  else 
where  in  the  East,  disease  and  death  lurk  in  every  street 
and  dwelling ;  in  the  air  we  breathe,  and  the  water  we  drink 
— an  invisible  enemy,  poisoning  the  very  fountains  of  life  ! 
Some  night,  when  we  are  wrapt  in  sleep,  a  gentle  rain  begins 
to  fall ;  its  coming  is  the  signal  for  pestiferous  cess-pools  to 
be  opened  across  the  narrow  street,  and  their  foul  contents 
poured  into  the  pathway  beneath  our  very  windows,  till  every 
breath  one  draws  is  reeking  with  an  indescribable  effluvia 


2Q2  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


and  deadly  stench,  which  drives  us  from  our  bed?  to  the 
remotest  corner  of  the  house ;  and  the  very  recollection 
sickens  us  for  weeks  thereafter ! 

The  interior  of  the  town  is  not  as  inviting  as  its  exterior. 
Dingy  mud  houses,  one  or  two  stories  high,  closely  huddled 
together,  narrow,  dirty,  roughly-paved  streets,  with  here  and 
there  a  public  fountain,  shaded  by  a  tree  or  two  ;  the  market 
place,  shops,  khans,  churches,  and  mosques,  describe  the 
general  characteristics  of  all  Turkish  towns.  Two  or  three 
Turkish  konaks  are  pointed  out  as  houses  "built  with 
blood,"  literally  verifying  the  prophet  Jeremiah's  descrip 
tion  :  "  Woe  unto  him  that  buildeth  his  house  by  unright 
eousness,  and  his  chambers  by  wrong ;  that  useth  his  neigh 
bor's  service  without  wages,  and  giveth  him  not  for  his 
work  :  That  saith,  I  will  build  me  a  wide  house  and  large 
chambers,  and  cutteth  him  out  windows;  and  it  is  ceiled 
with  cedar,  and  painted  with  vermilion." 

In  the  olden  time  it  was  very  common  for  Turkish  grandees 
to  impress  into  their  service  the  despised  Armenians,  and 
other  "Christian  dogs,"  as  they  called  the  "rayahs,"  or  sub 
jects.  Carpenters,  masons,  and  other  artisans  were  forced  to 
toil  for  months,  without  even  receiving  the  bread  they  con 
sumed  !  In  one  of  the  court-yards  of  these  great  konaks, 
there  still  stands  the  rough  block  where  the  poor  man  who 
dared  to  resist  the  power  of  the  oppressor,  was  summarily 
beheaded. 

The  low  doors  of  all  these  rayah  dwellings  bear  silent  tes 
timony  to  the  lawlessness  of  the  ruling  race  in  the  years 
gone  by,  when  it  was  common  practice  for  a  Turk  to  ride 
his  horse  into  the  house  of  a  Christian  subject,  and  demand 
anything  that  he  might  please  to  fancy.  My  head  has  often 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  293 


received  striking  proof  of  this  significant  fact.  It  is  easy  to 
stoop  in  entering  a  house,  but  when  earnestly  engaged  in  con 
versation  at  leaving,  one  forgets  the  necessity,  and  suddenly 
comes  in  contact  with  unyielding  timbers  in  a  most  unmer 
ciful  thwack  !  And  superior  height,  which  in  other  respects  is 
a  decided  advantage  in  commanding  the  respect  of  Orientals, 
here  proves  a  detriment !  Turning  aside,  on  our  way  home, 
we  pause  beneath  the  almond  tree  which  shades  the  conse 
crated  spot  where  the  noble  young  missionary,  Sutphen,  was 
laid  to  rest  ere  he  had  really  commenced  his  missionary 
work  among  this  people.  The  autumn  leaves  are  beginning 
to  fall,  and  every  one  is  to  us  a  sermon  :  "  We  all  do  fade 
as  a  leaf:"  "The  wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is  gone:" 
"  One  shall  be  taken,  and  the  other  left." 

The  fifth  chapter  of  Second  Corinthians  is  the  theme  at 
my  first  meeting  with  the  women,  held  in  the  chapel.  There 
are  seventy-one  present,  and  they  seem  impressed  by  truths 
that  have  been  so  lately  tested  in  my  own  experience. 

WINTER    WORK. 

The  snows  of  winter  are  falling  around  us ;  the  first  storm 
of  the  season  came  about  the  middle  of  November,  and  Mr. 
Leonard  started  that  morning  for  a  long  tour  among  the 
more  distant  out-stations,  bordering  on  the  Black  Sea. 
The  roads  are  very  bad,  and  traveling  is  often  dangerous 
among  the  mountains.  But  this  is  the  great  seed-time  and 
harvest  season  of  souls  in  Turkey !  The  storms  of  winter, 
as  severe  as  in  New  England,  drive  the  people  into  their 
dwellings ;  and  for  lack  of  employment,  they  congregate  in 
coffee-shops,  khans,  and  stables  to  gossip  and  while  away 
the  long  hours. 


2Q4  TIIE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

Mr.  Leonard's  diocese  is  the  ancient  province  of  Pontus. 
Samsoon  is  its  seaport,  with  Sinope  at  the  western  extremity, 
and  Trebizond  at  the  eastern,  and  all  that  region  extending 
south  as  far  as  Tocat,  comes  properly  under  his  supervision.  It 
is  a  vast  field  for  one  man  to  work,  and  until  the  last  two  years, 
Marsovan  was  almost  the  only  spot  into  which  the  Gospel 
plough  had  entered.  Helpers  are  now  stationed  at  seven 
places,  called  out-stations  ;  and  others  will  be  opened  as  fast 
as  young  men  can  be  obtained  from  the  Mission  Seminary. 
One  of  these  new  centres  of  Gospel  light  has  as  many  villages 
around  it  as  there  are  days  in  the  year  !  And  many  places 
of  great  importance  are  ready  and  waiting  to  be  occupied  for 
the  Master. 

It  is  classic  soil;  the  old  battle-ground  of  Greeks  and 
Romans.  The  town  of  Zileh,  now  occupied  as  an  out-station 
of  Marsovan,  is  near  the  very  spot  where  Julius  Caesar  uttered 
the  memorable  words,  "  I  came,  I  saw,  I  conquered !"  Not 
long  since,  Mr.  Leonard,  in  one  of  his  missionary  tours, 
visited  a  village  where  are  old  ruins,  and  copied  several 
Greek  inscriptions,  by  request  of  the  French  Commissioners 
who  spent  some  time  in  this  region  collecting  materials  for 
the  Emperor's  book.  Some  of  these  he  found  on  door 
steps,  the  wall  of  a  barber's  shop,  and  similar  places.  Mrs. 
Leonard  cannot  but  be  anxious  for  her  husband's  safety, 
during  the  four  or  five  weeks  of  his  absence,  at  this  inclement 
season.  A  letter  from  Samsoon  tells  us  that  his  journey 
thither  was  made  with  great  difficulty ;  and  we  shall  probably 
hear  nothing  more  till  his  return. 

I  can  appreciate,  as  never  before,  the  situation  of  a 
missionary  wife,  left  alone  with  the  "  few  sheep  in  the 
wilderness,"  while  her  husband  goes  forth  among  the  moun- 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  295 


tains  to  seek  and  save  the  lost.  The  first  year  of  their  life  at 
Marsovan,  this  noble  missionary  sister — v,  ho  left  a  delightful 
home  beyond  the  sea,  and,  till  she  came  to  Turkey,  had 
never  known  trial  or  hardship — bravely  stayed  behind,  with 
only  a  servant  for  protection,  after  she  had  buckled  on  the 
armor  of  her  "  knight-errant,"  and  bade  him  God-speed,  as  he 
sallied  forth  to  fight  the  battles  of  the  Lord.  The  next  year 
Markared  came  to  share  her  solitude,  and  aid  in  her 
unwearied  labors  for  the  women.  And  now  it  is  great 
delight  to  have  a  sister  by  her  side.  Hand  in  hand,  we  go 
from  house  to  house,  through  the  streets  and  lanes  of  this 
city,  trying  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  the  Master. 

The  meetings  for  women  are  generally  held  among  the 
Protestant  families,  in  different  neighborhoods,  to  secure  the 
attendance  of  those  "  from  without,"  who  would  not  come  to 
the  chapel. 

In  several  instances,  "  old  Armenians,"  /.  e.t  those  still 
holding  allegiance  to  the  Old  Church,  have  opened  their 
houses  for  these  religious  gatherings ;  and  when  the  language 
used  is  Turkish,  not  a  few  Moslem  women  attend.  On  one 
occasion  the  room  was  quite  filled  with  them — a  hitherto 
unheard-of  thing. 

Some  of  the  houses  are  very  poor.  The  windows  are  filled 
with  oiled  paper  instead  of  glass,  and  there  is  no  fire  to  take 
the  chill  from  the  wintry  atmosphere.  A  common  mangal,  or 
brazier,  at  one  end  is  surrounded  by  the  older  women  and  chil 
dren,  who  warm  their  fingers  over  the  half-ignited  coals. 
Babies  cry,  and  old  women,  unused  to  such  meetings,  talk  or 
scold ;  but  good  order  is  generally  maintained,  and  much 
interest  manifested.  It  is  exceedingly  pleasant  and  interesting 
to  see  one  whom  we  have  trained  for  Christian  work, conduct- 


296  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


ing  the  exercises  (now  and  then)  in  a  very  appropriate  and 
impressive  manner.  Markared  has  a  pleasant,  attractive  face ; 
her  eyes  are  blue,  and  her  voice  and  manner  are  winning  and 
modest.  The  women  listen  respectfully  to  her  teachings, 
though  she  is  not  yet  seventeen  years  of  age  ;  and  the  pupils, 
some  of  them  older  than  herself,  look  up  to  her  with  increas 
ing  regard  and  admiration  for  her  varied  talents.  She  takes  no 
airs  upon  herself  because  of  her  position  (almost  that  of  a 
daughter  in  the  missionary  family),  but  goes  about  wrapped 
up  in  her  white  sheet,  like  all  her  countrywomen,  and,  conse 
quently,  is  much  beloved  and  sought  after,  and  her  influence  is 
decidedly  good  among  the  people.  But  she  lacks  the  stamina 
of  a  more  mature  and  less  amiable  character,  and  needs  the 
motherly  guidance  which  is  ever  ready  to  establish  her  in  all  her 
"  goings  out  and  comings  in."  It  not  un frequently  happens  that 
a  woman  slips  into  the  school-room,  apparently  as  a  visitor,  but 
with  a  suspicious-looking  bundle  under  her  arm.  This  is  laid 
aside  until  recess,  and  then,  with  an  imploring  "gaghachem" 
— I  entreat — she  lays  an  embargo — in  the  shape  of  a  "  Frank 
dress  "  to  be  cut  and  fitted — upon  the  time  and  strength  of  the 
gentle,  yielding  teacher,  who  would  rather  sit  up  at  night, 
working  without  pay,  than  deny  the  request.  But  this  increas 
ing  demand  for  modern  taste  and  skill  in  matters  of  dress  is 
one  of  the  little  straws  which  show  the  influence  exerted  by 
the  Capital  over  inland  towns  by  means  of  its  commerce. 

Four  or  five  of  Markared' s  pupils  have  commenced  teaching 
some  of  the  women  to  read.  One  of  them  has  three  under 
her  instruction.  The  girls  exchange  pupils.  For  instance,  the 
daughter  does  not  teach  the  mother  or  other  members  of  her 
own  family,  because  she  says  they  will  not  mind  her  as  well  as 
some  one  from  another  house  ;  that  they  are  not  ready  to  lay 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  297 


aside  their  work  when  she  is  ready  to  give  them  a  lesson.  The 
other  day  I  spent  an  hour  or  two  in  the  school,  which  is  now  in 
the  missionary  house,  and  found,  upon  inquiry,  that  the  mother 
of  one  of  Makared's  best  pupils  thought  that  she  could 
never  learn  to  read,  and  had  given  up  the  attempt.  So  I 
engaged  one  of  the  youngest  girls  to  teach  her,  giving  her  a 
Lancastrian  card  for  that  purpose.  The  next  meeting  was  held 
at  this  woman's  house,  and,  with  many  smiles,  she  brought  out 
the  card  and  showed  me  that  she  had  learned  three  letters. 
The  room  was  more  than  filled  with  attentive  listeners.  While 
I  was  talking  to  them  of  our  Savior's  words  to  Nicodemus,  a 
woman  came  in,  and,  with  many  harsh  words,  drove  her 
daughter  away.  We  sang  "Just  as  I  am"  at  the  close,  and 
afterwards  a  young  woman  asked  to  see  that  hymn,  and 
commenced  reading  it  in  a  low  tone,  while  others  gathered 
around  to  listen.  As  I  looked  upon  the  little  group,  I 
wondered  if  Charlotte  Elliot  ever  dreamed,  in  the  retirement 
of  her  invalid  seclusion  (when  it  came  to  her  by  inspiration), 
where  and  how  she,  through  it,  would  preach  a  living  faith  in  a 
crucified  and  living  Redeemer.  It  were  well  worth  a  life-time 
of  trial  and  isolation  to  be  the  channel  of  such  a  soul-cry,  going 
up  to  Heaven  from  so  many  lands  and  in  so  many  tongues  ! 

THE  MISSIONARY'S  RETURN. 

"  The  Badveli  has  come  !"  shouts  Sarkis,  and  we  all  hasten 
to  welcome  him  home.  Markared  is  a  very  child,  almost  wild 
with  delight.  But  the  poor  man  is  too  exhausted  for  many 
words.  He  looks  like  a  battered  soldier  returned  from  the  war, 
covered  with  mud  from  head  to  feet,  his  hair  matted,  and  face 
so  thin,  that  one  would  scarcely  recognize  him.  We  know  that 
he  needs  all  the  comforts  of  home  to  repair  the  damages  of  the 

13* 


298  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

past  weeks  of  work  and  travel  among  the  mountains.  A  good 
Protestant  brother  had  accompanied  the  missionary  on  his 
tour,  and  from  his  lips  we  learn  of  the  perils  encountered  in 
their  journeyings: — Sometimes,  losing  their  way  in  the  blinding 
snow,  they  wandered  about  for  hours,  suffering  from  cold  and 
hunger,  in  danger  of  finding  no  shelter  for  the  night,  and  were 
only  too  glad  and  grateful  to  secure  a  corner  in  some  miserable 
hovel  till  day  should  dawn.  At  another  time,  the  roads  were 
broken  up  by  a  sudden  thaw,  and  their  horses  would  flounder 
and  fall  under  them,  and  the  food  and  lodging  provided  by  the 
hardy  mountaineers,  at  the  various  points  where  they  stopped 
to  carry  on  their  work,  was  hard  fare — probably  very  much  like 
that  to  which  the  Apostle  Paul  was  accustomed  in  his 
missionary  travels  ;  for  he  says  :  "  In  weariness  and  painful- 
ness,  in  watchings  often,  in  hunger  and  thirst,  in  fastings  often, 
in  cold  and  nakedness."  But,  though  such  experiences  are  felt 
more  keenly  by  one  of  a  finely-strung  nature  and  delicate 
physical  organization,  whose  early  life  has  been  exempt  from 
privations  and  exposures,  yet  the  faithful  missionary  can  say 
with  his  prototype,  "  None  of  these  things  move  me,  neither 
count  I  my  life  dear  unto  myself,  so  that  I  might  finish 
my  course  with  joy  and  the  ministry  which  I  have  received  of 
the  Lord  Jesus."  The  motto  of  this  earnest,  faithful  brother — 
who  "  endures  hardness  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ " — has 
been  from  the  first  that  of  the  "  beloved  disciple"  : — "  Because 
He  laid  down  His  life  for  us,  we  ought  to  lay  down  our  lives 
for  the  brethren." 

It  is  the  first  day  of  the  New  Year.  At  sunrise  we  go  down 
to  the  chapel,  where  about  eighty  people  are  assembled,  to  begin 
the  year  with  prayer  and  praise.  The  missionary  reads  the 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  299 


ninetieth  Psalm,  makes  a  brief  and  impressive  address  in  Turk 
ish,  we  sing  a  hymn  to  "  Old  Hundred,"  and  the  "  morning 
sacrifice "  appears  to  be  offered  up  with  "  much  incense " 
of  devotion  from  many  hearts.  Preacher  Yeghia  speaks  (in 
Armenian)  of  the  year  just  gone,  its  accounts  sealed  up  till  the 
day  of  judgment ;  of  our  ignorance  of  the  future,  and  God's 
method  of  leading  and  teaching  us  by  His  providence.  He 
says  that  to  each  one  of  us  is  presented  a  blank,  which  we  are 
to  fill  up  for  eternity.  In  conclusion,  he  remarks  that  it  will 
indeed  be  a  New  Year  to  souls  who  shall  be  born  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  One  of  the  most  spiritually-minded  of  the  brethren 
closes  with  a  prayer,  which  comes  with  fresh  unction,  from  the 
depths  of  his  heart.  After  the  meeting,  many  of  the  brethren 
come  upstairs  to  exchange  greetings  with  the  family.  It 
is  pleasant  to  see  their  beaming  faces,  and  hear  their  "  Shunor- 
havor  nor  dare  !  " — Happy  New  Year. 

Suitable  refreshments  have  been  provided  for  the  occasion, 
and  the  preacher  and  teachers  are  presented  with  beautifully 
printed  copies  of  the  New  Testament  in  Armenian,  with 
references,  just  received  from  the  Bible  House,  New  York.  A 
number  of  complimentary  calls  are  received  during  the 
day  from  Turks  and  Armenians,  among  whom  are  several 
women,  and  we  exchange  little  gifts  among  ourselves  in  com 
memoration  of  the  anniversary. 

The  "  mountains  round  about  "  Marsovan  are  white  with 
snow,  and  the  trees  are  shorn  of  their  beauty,  but  even  at 
this  season  it  is  a  pleasant  place.  The  air  is  dry,  sunny, 
and  bracing ;  the  weather  cold  and  clear,  but  with  no  high 
winds  as  at  Constantinople.  Mr.  Leonard  is  taking  observa 
tions  for  the  year.  The  mercury  has  not  been  higher  than 


300  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

40°,  or  lower  than  15°  Fah.,  and  the  average,  since  Dec. 
ist,  has  been  25°  at  sunrise.  The  prevailing  wind  has  been 
north  for  the  last  month. 

KOHAR  HA  NUM. 

The  Holy  Spirit  has  been  working  among  as  for  months 
past,  as  silently  as  the  "  dew  that  descended  upon  the 
mountains  of  Zion;"  and  we  believe  that  a  number  of  these 
Armenian  women  and  girls  for  whom  we  have  prayed  and 
labored,  are  truly  "  born  again."  What  joy  is  like  unto  our 
joy,  over  souls  saved  for  all  eternity,  and  new  workers 
gained  for  the  Master's  vineyard  ?  We  want  no  miserable, 
earthly  calculation  which  estimates  the  "  cost  of  conversion 
at  $1,000  "  per  soul !  In  God's  Arithmetic,  and  the  wonder 
ful  economy  of  grace  (past  the  comprehension  of  such 
sordid  minds),  each  grain  that  we  reap  in  these  harvest  fields 
is  counted  as  a  living  seed  that  will  bring  forth  fruit  a 
hundred  and  a  thousand  fold  ! 

Kohar  means  precious  stone,  diamond;*  and  she  who 
bears  this  name  among  her  people  is,  indeed,  a  rare  woman, 
like  one  of  the  uncut  jewels,  commonly  worn  by  Orientals, 
to  be  polished,  and  shine  forever,  we  trust,  in  the  Savior's 
crown;  for  she  is  a  miracle  of  grace.  I  saw  her  first,  at  her 
own  house,  soon  after  my  arrival  in  Marsovan ;  an  Armenian 
gentlewoman  of  about  twenty-eight  years  of  age  ;  of  more 
than  ordinary  dignity,  tempered  by  natural  sweetness  of 
disposition ;  figure  of  medium  height,  round  and  plump, 
and  a  remarkably  intelligent  and  attractive  face.  The  dwell 
ing  was  very  superior  in  its  finish  and  surroundings,  and 

*  Possibly  a  cognate  of  the  Hindoo  word  "  Koh-i-noor." 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  30! 


everything  bespoke  a  family  of  the  higher  class.  Mrs. 
Leonard  said  that  Kohar  Hanum  had  some  time  since 
learned  to  read,  and  was  so  anxious  for  the  education 
of  her  people,  that  she  had  taught  seven  others  of  her  own 
rank ;  that  she  was  eager  for  instruction,  had  long  been 
an  occasional  attendant  at  the  meetings  for  women,  but 
"  loved  the  world  and  the  things  of  the  world  ;  "  adding,  "  I 
am  afraid  that  she  will  lose  her  soul ;  she  knows  the  truth, 
and  yet  went  to  the  '  vank,'  or  monastery,  last  Sunday  with  a 
gay  party  of  Armenian  friends,  and  spent  the  day  in  feasting 
and  merry-making.  I  wish  you  would  try  to  rouse  her  to 
a  sense  of  her  danger."  Before  we  left,  an  opportunity  oc~ 
curred,  in  speaking  of  the  harvest  season  just  past,  to  refer 
to  our  Savior's  words :  "  What  shall  it  profit  a  man  if  he 
gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?"  Kohar 
seemed  impressed  ;  her  face  was  very  solemn,  and  after  a 
few  more  faithful  words,  we  went  away,  praying  that  God 
would  water  the  seed  sown  in  her  heart. 

I  have  never  seen  a  case  of  more  powerful  conviction  of 
sin.  Her  pride  rose  up  like  a  mountain,  and  kept  her  back 
for  many  weeks ;  but  it  has  been  completely  humbled  :  Con 
science  gave  her  no  rest  until  she  had  opened  her  whole 
heart  to  the  faithful  "  hanum,"  who  had  so  long  sought  to 
bring  her  to  Christ.  Kohar's  circumstances  have  been  very 
peculiar,  and  more  trying  than  anything  we  had  ever 
imagined ;  and  when,  at  last,  the  struggle  was  over,  and  the 
inner  history  of  her  life  revealed,  I  saw  her  lay  her  head  in 
the  "  hanum's  "  lap,  and  sob  like  a  child. 

A  new  chapter — which  can  never  be  written — was  opened 
in  our  experience  of  life  among  this  people  !  But  a  new  life 
was  also  begun,  from  that  hour,  in  another  soul !  Her  greatest 


302  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


sorrow  was  her  union  to  an  utterly  uncongenial  husband ; 
she  was  willing  to  be  a  servant,  to  go  anywhere,  and  do 
anything,  if  only  she  might  be /reef 

After  hours  of  earnest  conversation,  Kohar  was  led  to 
understand  her  duty,  as  never  before.  Lifting  her  face, 
kindled  and  glowing  with  new  light  and  holy  purpose,  she 
said  to  Mrs.  Leonard,  "  Now,  I  see ;  I  must  labor  for  his  soul, 
as  you-  have  labored  for  mine  /"  And  as  she  rose  to  leave,  she 
added,  impressively,  "You  have  saved  a  soul !" — And  kissed 
her  hands,  her  'eyes,  and  her  face !  Her  husband,  a  little, 
sickly,  effeminate  man,  but  an  "  eshkhan,"  or  ruler,  of  wealth 
and  rank  among  the  people,  was  much  incensed  at  the  change 
in  his  wife.  It  enraged  him  to  see  her  so  cast  down  on  ac 
count  of  her  sins ;  and  he  forbade  her  coming  to  the 
Protestant  meetings,  tore  her  Bible  into  fragments,  and 
even  locked  her  up  in  the  house,  lest  she  should  come  to 
us  in  his  absence.  Finding  that  all  his  threats  and  persecu 
tions  were  of  no  avail,  he  then,  for  the  first  time,  lifted  his 
hand  and  struck  her  a  brutal  blow  !  She  was  stunned  and 
shocked ;  and  even  he  was  ashamed,  for  he  was  not  in 
sensible  to  the  superiority  of  his  noble  wife,  and  had  mani 
fested  his  pride  and  regard  for  her,  in  various  ways ; 
bringing  rich  silks  and  furs  from  Stamboul,  for  her  adorn 
ment  ;  and,  in  view  of  his  infirm  constitution,  had  willed 
the  house  and  other  property  to  her  as  his  heir.  This  will 
he  destroyed  ;  and  also,  for  a  time,  succeeded  in  hiding  the 
gold  and  jewels  which  were  her  dowery,  and,  therefore,  be 
yond  his  personal  control- 

But  her  new-found  joy,  and  hope  that  she  is  "  accepted 
in  the  Beloved,"  enables  her,  like  Paul,  to  "  suffer  the  loss 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  303 


of  all  things,"  if  only  she  "may  win  Christ,  and  be  found 
in  Him." 

One  morning  the  family  went  to  a  christening  feast,  and 
Kohar  managed  to  slip  away,  and  spend  the  day  with  us. 
We  were  very  much  occupied  when  she  came  in,  and  she 
begged  us  to  go  on  with  our  work.  I  handed  her  a  newly- 
arrived  copy  of  the  Avedaper  to  read.  After  a  little,  the 
business  was  accomplished,  and  I  came  to  visit  with  her ;  she 
looked  up  from  the  paper  with  a  smiling  face,  and  pointing  to 
an  article  about  the  love  of  Christ,  which  she  had  been  read 
ing,  said,  "  How  sweet  this  is ;  I  want  to  kiss  it !  "  Putting 
it  to  her  lips  as  she  spoke.  "Why  is  it?  Once,  when  I 
came  here,  my  heart  went  out  to  other  things ;  when  I  saw 
anything  handsome,  I  longed  to  possess  it ;  I  loved  gold  and 
ornaments.  But  now  they  all  seem  to  me  like  so  much  dust ; 
and  my  heart  goes  out  after  other  things  !  "  "  Ah,  my  dear 
sister!"'  I  could  but  reply,  "  '  If  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he 
is  a  new  creature  ;  old  things  are  passed  away ;  behold  all 
things  are  become  new/1  That  is  the  'why*  of  it!  For, 
the  Word,  which  cannot  lie,  says,  *  If  any  man  love  the  world, 
the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him.'  " 

TAKING    UP    THE    CROSS. 

Kohar  is  a  truly  modest,  retiring,  womanly  woman  ;  but 
she  has  begun,  in  earnest,  to  work  for  Christ,  and  the  leaven 
of  her  influence  is  already  working  powerfully  in  another 
family,  so  that  we  lift  up  our  hands  in  wonder,  and  say, 
"  What  hath  God  wrought  ?  "  She  says  that  she  is  ready  to 
leave  all  and  follow  Christ ;  and  asks,  "  Can  anything  separ 
ate  me  from  His  love?" 


304  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

She  "  took  up  the  cross  "  soon  after  the  wonderful  change 
in  her  own  experience;  and  it  happened  on  this  wise: 
Markared  had  charge  of  the  meeting  for  women,  one  day, 
in  a  place  where  it  had  never  yet  been  held;  neither  of 
us  (missionaries)  were  able  to  be  present,  and  the  rain  fell 
so  fast  that  we  feared  very  few  would  attend.  But  she  re 
turned,  toward  evening,  with  the  good  news  that  the  room 
was  full ;  she  counted  fifty  women  in  that  low,  dark,  miser 
able  place.  Kohar  was  there,  although  it  was  nearly  a  mile 
from  her  house  ;  and  after  the  story  of  Jonah  had  been  read, 
and  explained,  she  followed  with  an  excellent  exhortation  to 
those  present  to  repent,  and  turn  to  the  Lord  while  the  door 
of  mercy  is  still  open. 

This  was  something  entirely  new;  and,  coming  spontaneously 
from  one  so  well  known  and  so  high  in  social  position,  pro 
duced  a  deep  impression  upon  the  women.  That  such  a 
"  hanum "  should  condescend  to  honor  that  place  with  her 
presence  was,  in  itself,  wonderful : — For  the  Armenians  have 
great  pride  of  rank  and  race  ;  but  to  hear  such  words  from  her 
lips,  was  still  more  surprising.  Markared  said  that  it  was  a 
lovely  picture  ;  it  moved  her  heart  to  see  Kohar  rise  and 
"stand  up  for  Jesus"  in  that  old  dingy  room,  and,  with  all  the 
beauty  and  dignity,  the  grace  and  sweetness  of  Christian  woman 
hood,  entreat  her  poor  Armenian  sisters  to  come  to  the  Savior 
she  had  so  lately  found.  A  woman  who  had  long  opposed  the 
truth,  requested  that  the  next  meeting  might  be  held  at 
her  house,  and  urged  Kohar  to  be  present. 

On  her  way  home,  she  stopped  a  moment  to  see  us,  and  her 
heart  was  full  of  peace  and  joy.  "What  is  it?"  she  inquired; 
"  I  never  before  felt  so  peaceful  and  happy."  Dear  soul  !  .she 
is  one  of  Christ's  blessed,  obedient  "  little  children  ;"  the  cur- 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  305 


rent  of  His  love  flows  unobstructed  through  the  heart  now 
wholly  given  up  to  Him  ;  and  her  joy  is  "  full."  And  yet  her 
trials  are  many.  For  months  she  is  shut  away  from  the  house 
of  God ;  her  heartless  husband  rides,  rough  shod,  over  all  her 
new  convictions  of  right  and  wrong,  and  delights  to  torment 
her  by  bringing  home  numbers  of  his  friends  to  dinner  on  Sun 
day,  etc.,  etc. 

Sometimes  she  is  troubled  about  her  duty,  and  comes  to  us 
burdened  with  important  questions  ;  but  prayer  is  her  great 
resource,  and  she  has  learned  the  meaning  of  those  words  of 
Christ  :  "  In  the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation  ;  but  be 
of  good  cheer  :  I  have  overcome  the  world  ;"  and  in  Him  she 
finds  peace. 

Thus  the  once  heavy  cross  is  clasped  to  her  breast,  with  fly 
ing  pennons,  and  the  thorns  spring  to  flowers  beneath  her 
fearless  feet  as  she  presses  on  in  the  Heavenward  path  !  How 
beautiful  she  is,  adorned  with  the  "  ornament  of  a  meek 
and  quiet  spirit."  Formerly  Kohar  wore  a  quantity  of  gold 
around  her  head  and  neck,  according  to  the  custom  of  her 
people  ;  but  all  these  bands  and  circlets  have  been  quietly  taken 
off,  without  a  word  from  any  one. 

Not  long  since,  she  brought  ten  gold  pieces  to  the  mission 
ary,  to  be  appropriated  for  supplying  those  persons  with  Bibles 
who  were  unable  to  pay  for  themselves — but  no  one  was  to 
know  this. 

BREAKING  A  BETROTHAL. 

I  had  been  spending  part  of  an  afternoon  in  a  day-school 
taught  by  another  of  my  former  pupils,  and  on  my  return, 
found  Kohar  and  Vartig,  a  young  girl  who  attends  Markared's 
school,  waiting  to  see  me.  They  had  come  to  seek  aid  and 
counsel  in  a  matter  of  great  importance. 


306  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


It  seems  that  Vartig  was  betrothed  when  she  was  but  five 
years  of  age.  She  is  now  thirteen  or  fourteen,  and  her  friends 
wish  her  to  marry,  but  she  protests  against  it;  she  has  tasted 
the  sweets  of  knowledge,  and  is  very  anxious  to  study. 
Besides,  she  has  received  the  truth,  in  the  love  of  it,  and  the 
young  man  is  a  bigoted  Armenian,  with  no  sympathies  in  com 
mon,  and,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  country,  she  has  no 
personal  acquaintance  with  him. 

Kohar  is  a  neighbor  of  this  girl,  and  they  have  often  spent 
their  evenings  together  in  reading  the  Word  of  God.  She  has 
felt  so  strongly  in  regard  to  her  own  early  betrothal  and 
marriage — when  she  was  but  thirteen  years  of  age — that  she 
deeply  sympathizes  with  Vartig,  and  has  openly  espoused  her 
cause.  To  "  break  a  betrothal "  seems  like  sacrilege  to  this 
people  ;  the  bond  is  almost  as  binding  as  that  of  marriage. 
But  it  is  not  so  bad,  Kohar  thinks,  as  breaking  a  heart  !  And 
that  is  our  feeling. 

Finally,  the  young  man  says  that  he  will  release  the  girl  if 
she  will  return  the  four  gold  pieces  with  which  he  sealed  the 
contract ;  but  her  mother  has  spent  the  money,  and  has  no 
means  of  refunding  it. 

I  queried  whether  they  had  come — like  so  many  others — 
in  the  hope  that  we  would  furnish  the  necessary  sum  ;  and 
asked  Kohar  what  they  would  do  about  it.  She  merely  said 
that  she  hoped  the  means  would  be  found.  We  had  a  long 
and  interesting  conversation,  and  knelt  together  in  prayer  to 
seek  our  Father's  blessing. 

I  told  them  both  to  try  to  glorify  God  in  the  place  and 
under  the  circumstances  in  which  they  were  providentially 
placed  ;  that  He  knew  just  the  discipline  we  most  needed. 
While  speaking  of  the  bitter  cup  which  the  Sinless  One 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  307 


drank  for  us,  and  of  His  agony  in  the  garden  of  Gethse- 
niane,  they  both  wept;  and,  at  last,  Kohar  would  not  let  me 
talk  any  more,  fearing  it  would  make  my  head  ache,  but 
reached  up  and  kissed  my  forehead,  calling  me  her  "dear 
sister."  Before  they  left  the  house,  she  quietly  slipped  the  four 
gold  coins,  to  ransom  the  poor  girl,  into  Mr.  Leonard's  hand, 
but  begged  that  no  one  should  know  whence  it  came. 

The  betrothal  money  was  paid  back  ;  but  Vartig's  eyes 
sparkled  with  fun,  as  she  told  us  that  the  young  man  was  more 
willing  to  give  her  up,  because  he  feared,  after  such  a  show  of 
independence,  that  she  would  not  be  obedient  !  Such  a  thing 
was  never  before  known  in  Marsovan,  and  it  will  be  noised  all 
over  the  city. 

KOHAR  S  FA  MIL  Y. 

Kohar' s  mother  is  one  of  the  most  winsome  old  ladies  that  I 
have  ever  seen  in  this  country.  The  change  in  her  daughter, 
with  whom  she  lives,  greatly  troubled  her  at  first,  but  she  did 
not  join  the  husband  in  his  bitter  persecution.  Little  by  little 
the  truth  found  lodgment  in  her  own  heart,  and  now,  at  nearly 
seventy  years  of  age,  she  too  is  sitting  at  the  feet  of  Jesus.  My 
heart  always  bounds  when  I  see  her  mild,  pleasant  counte 
nance,  for  she  reminds  me  of  the  mother  so  far  away.  She  is 
learning  to  read  the  Word  of  God  for  herself,  and,  whenever  I 
call  upon  them,  she  always  puts  on  her  glasses,  and  brings  her 
book  for  me  to  hear  her  spell  out  a  few  words. 

It  cost  her  a  struggle  to  give  up  the  Old  Church,  and  she 
said,  with  much  simplicity,  "  It  came  hard  to  me  to  part  .with 
our  place  there,  and  know  that  others  would  come  in  and  take 
it  !" — the  "chief  seat  in  the  synagogue."  Kohar  has  no  chil 
dren,  but  a  little  adopted  daughter  and  two  nieces  attend 
Markared's  school,  and  they  also  are  learning  to  follow  Jesus. 


308  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

For  the  last  few  months  I  have  had  in  my  room  every  week, 
a  "convert's  prayer-meeting,"  in  which  each  one  takes  a  part. 
The  first  time  Kohar  was  present,  she  was  greatly  overcome  by 
the  petitions  of  these  young  disciples.  She  lingered  after  they 
had  gone,  and,  wiping  away  her  tears,  said,  "  Oh,  Varzhoohi  !  it 
melts  my  heart  to  hear  these  lambs  confess  their  sins  !  What 
have  they  done  compared  with  me  ?" 

As  she  grows  in  grace,  she  longs,  inexpressibly,  to  spend 
her  life  in  Christian  work  for  her  people.  Her  husband 
frequently  visits  the  surrounding  towns  and  villages,  on 
business,  and  when  his  enmity  to  the  truth  had  seemed  to 
subside  a  little,  she  ventured  tremblingly,  to  propose  to  ac 
company  him,  and  teach  the  women ;  gathering  courage 
with  the  effort,  she  pictured  the  good  that  might  thus  be 
accomplished;  when  he  fiercely  turned  upon  her,  and,  in  as 
thundering  tones  as  his  small  capacity  could  send  forth, 
commanded  her  to  be  silent,  and  never  again  dare  to  men 
tion  the  subject !  (We  learn  most  of  these  facts  about  the 
"  Agha,"  from  Kohar's  nieces.)  Poor  man  !  his  conscience 
is  ill  at  ease.  One  evening,  when  they  were  alone,  he  ap 
peared  so  much  more  genial  than  usual  that,  in  her  great 
anxiety  for  his  soul,  Kohar  made  another  venture,  and  read 
aloud  in  his  hearing  from  the  New  Testament.  He  listened 
a  moment  or  two,  and  then  ordered  her  to  stop  :  saying, 
in  answer  to  her  gentle,  pleading  remonstrance,  "  /  do  not 
want  to  know  !  The  more  I  know,  the  greater  will  be  my  re 
sponsibility  /" — forgetting  that  he  will  be  held  responsible, 
at  the  last  day,  for  thj  sin  of  shutting  his  ears!  Oh,  the 
soul-melting  pathos  of  Christ's  wail  over  such  wilfully  closed 
hearts !  "  How  oft  would  I  have  gathered  you,  but  ye 
would  not."  With  their  own  hands  they  forever  shut  the 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  309 


door   of  hope    and   heaven  against   themselves!     The  very 
stones  might  weep  at  such  a  sight  ! 

A   DINNER  A  LA    TURQUE, 

The  "  Agha  "  has  started  off  on  one  of  his  business  trips, 
and  Kohar  comes  to  the  "  missionary  sisters  "  with  a  pressing 
invitation  to  dine  at  her  house ;  and  I  am  to  spend  the  night. 
She  wants  us  "  all  to  herself,  for  a  good  visit !  "  So  we  go, 
at  an  early  hour,  and  she  receives  and  entertains  us  as 
honored  guests.  The  smiling  little  Shooshan  takes  great 
delight  in  escorting  us  over  the  dwelling,  and  we  are  struck 
with  the  neatness  and  order  everywhere  apparent.  By-and- 
by,  the  mother,  and  an  elder  niece,  sit  down  with  us  at  the 
low,  round  table,  or  tray,  to  partake  of  the  food  which  is 
served  by  Loocea  and  Shooshan,  while  our  hostess  presides 
over  the  preparation  of  each  course  as  it  comes  on,  smoking 
hot,  in  metal-covered  tureens.  Such  an  array  of  fish,  flesh, 
and  fowl,  such  pastry,  and  such  preserved  fruits,  I  have 
never  before  seen  in  an  Armenian  house.  It  is  a  dinner  fit 
for  a  king !  Some  of  these  dishes  would  not  disgrace 
Delmonico.  The  "  pilaff,"  of  Egyptian  rice,  each  kernel 
round  and  full,  made  up  with  the  broth  and  white  meat  of 
tender  fowls, — the  pyramid  thickly  sprinkled  with  pine  nuts, 
and  Zante  currants;  the  "  dolmas,"  long,  delicate  squashes 
(which  grow  by  the  yard)  cored,  and  filled  with  a  savory 
pieparation  of  rice  and  minced-meat,  and  boiled  in  young 
grape  leaves.  The  stew,  of  quinces  and  mutton  ;  the  roasted 
and  boiled  chestnuts;  the  indescribable  dumplings;  the 
"  stuffed  "  baked  tomatoes  ;  the  crisp  and  flaky  pastry,  rich 
with  butter,  cream  and  honey ;  and  rosy  apples,  apricots,  pears, 
melons,  pomegranates,  and  rich  clusters  of  grapes,  perfectly 


310  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


preserved  in  wine !  The  fish,  fowls,  and  lamb  are  broiled, 
or  roasted  to  perfection  ;  and  as  one  course  is  followed  by 
another,  and  still  another,  we  are  urged  to  eat  of  this  or 
that  favorite  dish,  gotten  up  especially  for  our  benefit.  Our 
kind  hostess  comes  herself  to  inspire  our  flagging  courage 
with  new  zeal,  selecting  the  daintiest,  choicest  portions,  and 
seeming  so  happy  in  her  overflowing  generosity,  that  I  can 
not  disappoint  her,  and  am  willing  to  make  a  martyr  of  my 
self  for  the  nonce  !  (I  wonder  if  Paul  had  such  an  experi 
ence,  when  he  said,  "I  have  learned — to  abound!"}  The 
dear  good  woman  evidently  believes  in  the  "  perseverance  of 
the  saints ; "  but  she  has  not  yet  learned  the  "  limit  of 
human  ability ;  "  and  so  it  comes  to  pass  that  she  sits,  in  the 
small  hours  of  the  night,  by  the  couch — which  her  loving 
hands  have  heaped  high  with  the  softest,  downiest  beds  and 
cushions  in  the  house,  wondering,  in  her  simplicity,  as  she 
bathes  the  aching  head,  "  what  has  made  the  Varzhoohi  so 
ill!  " 

But  I  can  never  forget  the  conversation  and  the  family- 
worship  of  that  evening  !  I  happened  to  mention  Mount 
Holyoke  Seminary,  and  its  wonderful  influence  in  our  own 
and  other  lands ;  and  Kohar  said,  earnestly,  "  O,  please, 
tell  us  all  about  it !"  So  they  all  gathered  at  my  feet,  the 
dear  old  mother,  the  daughter,  and  the  three  girls,  looking 
up  with  eager  interest,  and  uttering  an  occasional  exclama 
tion  of  surprise,  while  I  told  them  the  story  of  Mary  Lyon's 
childhood,  youth,  and  womanhood  ;  what  faith  in  God,  and 
a  life  of  entire  consecration  to  His  service,  had  accom 
plished  for  the  world.  Of  the  amazing  fact  (made  known 
after  her  death)  that  she  had  been  the  means,  directly,  of 
the  conversion  of  sixteen  hundred  souls!  Kohar's  eyes 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  3!  I 


sparkled,  her  face  glowed  with  enthusiasm,  and,  clasping  her 
hands,  she  exclaimed,  "  O,  Varzhoohi !  why  cannot  we  get  up 
such  a  school  among  our  people  ?  I  am  sure  we  can,  if  we  try. 
/  would  do  anything  for  it !  "  As  I  looked  into  her  earnest, 
upturned  face,  and  saw  the  soul  shining  through  her  eyes, 
I  could  but  think  that  she,  under  other  circumstances, 
might,  indeed,  have  been  a  Mary  Lyon  among  her  people. 
If  he  who  u  hateth  his  brother,"  is  esteemed  by  God  a 
"  murderer,"  then  surely  the  love  and  the  longing  which  is 
forbidden  expression  in  acts,  will  be  counted  by  Him  as 
equivalent  to  accomplished  deeds ;  and  at  the  last, — to  their 
own  great  surprise,  many  of  God's  **  hidden  ones,"  of  whom 
the  world  has  never  heard,  will  shine  in  resplendent  glory 
among  those  who  have  "  turned  many  to  righteousness." 

THE    WAR. 

Our  hearts  bleed  for  our  beloved  country,  rent  by  contend 
ing  factions,  and  deluged  with  blood  !  It  is  a  terribly  prolonged 
struggle,  and  we  stand  powerless  and  dumb  in  the  dim  dis 
tance,  longing  and  praying  that  the  fearful  strife  may  soon 
end.  But  we  know  that  God  sits  serene  above  the  storm, 
and  when  His  purposes  are  accomplished,  He  will  say  to  the 
Destroying  Angel,  "  It  is  enough  :  put  up  thy  sword  !" 

The  desolating  wave  has  swept  across  the  broad  Atlantic 
and  the  blue  Mediterranean,  and  reached  the  door  of  many 
a  peaceful  missionary  dwelling  in  this  land.  Drs.  Goodell, 
Schauffler,  and  Dwight,  of  Constantinople,  have  each  a  son 
in  the  Union  army.  Dr.  Schneider,  of  Aintab,  has  two  sol 
dier  boys ;  and  Mr.  Rhea,  of  Persia,  has  two  brothers  in  the 
Confederate  army,  besides  many  others,  who  have  fathers, 
brothers,  or  cousins  fighting  on  both  sides  ! 


312  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


And  even  here  in  the  heart  of  Asia  Minor,  the  "  American 
War  "  makes  itself  felt  among  all  classes  of  people.  A  few 
weeks  ago  there  was  a  rumor  in  town  that  the  "  war  was  over," 
and  consequently,  the  price  of  cotton  had  fallen  so  low  that  the 
market  was  glutted.  This  report  created  a  great  panic  among 
the  merchants  of  the  city.  Many  came  to  the  missionary  to 
know  if  it  were  true,  and  what  he  had  heard  from  the  seat 
of  war.  It  so  happened  that  our  mail  failed  us  that  week, 
for  the  first  time.  A  new  mudir,  or  governor,  had  just  been 
installed  over  Marsovan,  and  to  all  inquiries,  word  came 
that  the  post  "  had  passed  through  unopened,"  or,  "  there 
was  nothing  for  us  !" 

Mr.  Leonard  told  the  people  that  it  was  too  good  news  to 
be  true,  at  this  date ;  and  that  the  panic  was  undoubtedly  ex 
cited  by  speculators,  to  frighten  people  who  did  not  take  the 
"Avedaper!" — our  evangelical  Armenian  and  Turkish  news 
paper. 

Thus  are  "  the  ends  of  the  earth  "  brought  together  these 
"  latter  days." 

LOOSINTAK. 

They  were  examining  candidates  for  admission  to  the 
church,  in  the  chapel,  and  several  of  our  dear  young  converts 
were  of  the  number.  So  I  quietly  slipped  in,  and  sat  down 
behind  Loosintak,  who  did  not  see  me,  and  the  questioning 
went  on  :  "  Well,  Loosintak,  but  what  first  led  you  to  think 
of  your  soul  ?"  said  good  deacon  Margos.  "  It  was  what  I 
saw  in  the  Varzhoohi's  sick-room."  she  answered.  "  How  was 
that  ?"  "  Why,  I  thought  that  I  must  have  a  religion  that  could 
make  one  so  happy  in  view  of  death."  This  was  wholly  un 
expected  ;  I  had  not  even  known  the  fact ;  and  the  tears  rush 
ed  to  my  eyes;  for  God  had  led  me  in,  at  that  moment,  to 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  313 


learn  a  new  lesson  of  His  all-wise  and  overruling  Provi 
dence. 

Loosintak  is  a  steady,  substantial  girl  of  eighteen  years. 
She  belongs  to  an  excellent,  but  decayed  family,  and  has  not 
married,  because  the  ravages  of  small-pox  have  destroyed  her 
beauty,  and  her  friends  are  too  proud  to  give  her  in  marriage 
to  one  who  is  beneath  her  in  rank.  She  is  already  consid 
ered  quite  an  ancient  maiden  among  her  people.  During 
my  illness  she  was  called  in  to  help,  and  with  our  dear  Marka- 
red,  often  ministered  to  my  necessities.  When  I  afterwards 
gave  her  a  large  reference  Bible,  she  seemed  almost  over 
whelmed  by  the  gift,  and  clasped  it  to  her  bosom,  saying,  "  You 
have  made  me  happier  than  if  you  had  given  me  a  kingdom  !" 
She  took  it  home,  and  her  younger  sister — one  of  Markared's 
brightest  pupils — wept  for  joy,  and  slept  with  it  in  her  arms 
all  the  night :  for  it  was  the  first  Bible  that  ever  entered  the 
house  as  their  own  possession  !  She  might  well  sing : 

"  Holy  Bible,  Book  Divine, 
Precious  treasure,  thou  art  mine  !" 

for  the  sweet  child  had  learned  to  kno\v  its  worth,  and  es 
teemed  it  above  all  riches:  "The  gold  and  crystal  cannot 
equal  it,  and  the  exchange  of  it  shall  not  be  for  jewels  of 
fine  gold  :  No  mention  shall  be  made  of  coral  or  pearls,  for 
the  price  of  wisdom  is  above  rubies." 

The  Armenian  name,  Loosintak,  means  "  crown  of  light." 
In  after-years,  God  may  say  to  this  young  woman  whom  He 
has  reserved,  and  set  apart  for  His  own  special  service, 
"  Hearken,  O  daughter,  and  consider,  and  incline  thine  ear ; 
forget  also  thine  own  people,  and  thy  father's  house."  And 
she  will  be  a  Jight-bearer  to  many  of  her  sisters  in  distant 
tf 


3 14  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


places,  carrying  that  Bible  to  those  who  are  now  sitting  in 
the  darkness  and  degradation  of  Satan's  bond-women.  For 
if,  as  we  firmly  believe,  "  GOD  HAS  A  DEFINITE  LIFE-PLAN 

FOR  EVERY  INDIVIDUAL,  GIRDING  HIM,  VISIBLY  OR  INVISIBLY, 
FOR  SOME  EXACT  THING,  WHICH  IT  WILL  BE  TRUE  SIGNIFI 
CANCE  AND  GLORY  OF  HIS  LIFE  TO  HAVE  ACCOMPLISHED, — "* 

to  be  in  harmony  with  this  plan  is  the  secret  of  true  hap 
piness  ;  it  invests  every  circumstance,  however  small,  with 
new  significance.  And  oh,  how  unspeakably  sad  to  reject 
His  guidance  and  miss  the  meaning  of  one's  existence  ! 

AM  A  SI  A. 

The  Winter  has  sped  away  with  its  constant  succession  of 
busy  days  and  weeks,  and  Spring  has  opened  upon  us.  At 
Amasia,  an  ancient  city,  thirty  miles  south-east  of  Marsovan, 
there  is  a  German  colony,  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
silk  for  a  large  nouse  in  Freiburg. 

The  gentleman  who  stands  at  the  head  of  the  enterprise, 
is  a  warm  friend  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leonard,  and  during  the 
Winter  has  frequently  written,  urging  his  oft-repeated  re 
quest  for  a  visit.  But  missionary  work  prevented ;  at  last 
a  messenger  arrives,  in  hot  haste,  with  the  word  that 
his  master  is  very  ill,  and  begs  them  to  come  without  de 
lay.  I  accompany  them :  We  start  at  an  early  hour 
in  the  morning,  passing  over  a  plain  which  is  a  very 
gradual  descent,  for  Amasia  is  one  thousand  feet  lower 
than  Marsovan.  There  is  very  little  to  vary  the  monoto 
ny  of  the  way,  and  we  push  on,  reaching  the  rocks  at 


*  Bushncll's  "  Sermons  for  the  New  Life  !" 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  315 


the  outskirts  of  the  town  just  as  the  sun  goes  down.  A  little 
farther,  and  we  cross  the  old  Roman  bridge  which  spans  the 
"Red  River,"  and  strike  into  the  town. 

Bald  rocks,  piercing  the  sky,  with  the  tombs  of  the  kings 
of  Pontus  cut  in  their  face,  frown  upon  us  from  every  side, 
and  this  strange  old  city  of  Strabo,  the  ancient  Geographer, 
is  wonderfully  interesting.  But  we  cannot  linger  to  gaze. 
On,  on,  up  the  steep  hills,  to  the  mansion  so  beautifully  situ 
ated,  where  Death  is  doing  his  fatal  work.  Alas !  it  is  too 
late.  The  dying  man  merely  recognizes  his  friends,  and  is 
gone,  beyond  recall,  leaving  four  motherless  children  with 
out  a  protector  in  this  foreign  land.  The  two  lovely  daugh 
ters,  seventeen  and  eighteen  years  of  age,  but  lately  returned 
from  school  in  Germany,  are  stunned  by  the  blow.  Their 
brothers  are  away  at  school  in  the  fatherland,  and  the  little 
girls  ate  too  young  to  comprehend  their  loss.  In  the  absence 
of  a  guardian,  or  any  other  responsible  person,  the  mission 
ary  attends  to  a  few  necessary  details  of  business  : — The 
office,  and  rooms  containing  valuable  papers  and  effects,  are 
carefully  closed,  and  a  Turkish  official  places  a  great  black 
seal  over  the  lock  of  each  door.  Watchmen  are  then  sta 
tioned  around  the  house,  for  protection  at  night.  A  telegram 
is  despatched  to  summon  one  of  the  firm  from  Germany, 
and  preparations  are  made  for  the  funeral. 

A  fearful  pall  and  desolating  gloom  has  fallen  upon  the 
house,  so  lately  full  of  life  and  gaiety.  The  little  Hilde- 
garde,  and  Emilie,  (the  one  nine  and  the  other  three  years 
of  age,)  feel  its  chilling  influence,  and  creep  up  to  us  con 
fidingly,  with  childish  wonder  and  awe,  broken  now  and 
then  by  a  momentary  out-gush  of  rippling  laughter  at  the 
antics  of  some  playful  pet. 


3l6  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


It  is  Sunday,  and  the  great  hall,  and  adjoining  rooms,  are 
crowded  with  people  of  all  classes  and  various  nationalities, 
who  have  come  to  attend  the  funeral  services.  Jews,  Greeks, 
Turks,  Armenians,  Italians,  French,  Germans,  and  Americans 
are  well  represented,  and  all  can  understand,  more  or  less, 
the  one  common  tongue — Turkish — in  which  the  missionary 
sets  before  them  life  and  death.  It  is  a  solemn  discourse 
from  the  text,  "  This  year  thou  shalt  die."  Glancing  around 
upon  the  strange,  motley  assembly,  I  see  earnest  attention 
depicted  upon  most  of  the  countenances  :  the  death  of  one 
is  the  means  whereby  many  for  the  first  time  hear  the  words 
of  life  ! 

We  gather  around  the  open  grave,  upon  a  sheltered  ter 
race  within  the  grounds,  where  the  bereaved  husband  so 
often  wept  and  mourned  by  the  tomb  of  his  beloved  and 
beautiful  Emilie — the  bride  of  one  short  year — and'now  he 
is  laid  by  her  side,  while  the  funeral  hymn,  so  sad,  so  sweet, 
rises  and  falls  in  mournful  cadence  from  the  lips  of  his  coun 
trymen,  in  the  words,  "  Hort  auf  mit  Trauern  und  Klagen  :" — 

I.  IV. 

"  Cease,  ye  tearful  mourners,  And  from  its  corruption, 

Now  your  hearts  to  rend  :  This  same  body  so;ir, 

Death  is  life's  beginning  With  the  self-same  spirit 

Rather  than  its  end.  That  was  here  of  yore. 

II.  V. 

All  the  grave's  adornments,  E'en  as  duly  scattered 

What  do  they  declare  By  the  sower's  hand, 

Save  that  the  departed  In  the  fading  autumn 

Are  but  sleeping  there  ?  O'er  the  fallow  land, 

III.  VI. 

What  though  now  to  darkness  Nature's  seed  decaying, 

We  this  body  give  ;  First  in  darkness  dies, 

Soon  shall  all  its  senses  Ere  it  can  in  glory 

Re  awake  and  live.  Renovated  rise. 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  317 


VII.  X. 

Earth,  to  thy  fond  bosom  When  thou  must  this  body, 

We  this  pledge  entrust ;  Bone  for  bone  restore,— 

Oh  !  we  pra)',  be  careful  Every  single  feature 

Of  this  precious  dust.  Perfect  as  before. 

VIII.  XL 
This  was  once  the  mansion               O,  divinest  period  ! 

Of  a  soul  endowed  Speed  upon  thy  way  ; 

With  sublimest  powers,  O,  Eternal  Justice  ! 

By  the  breath  of  God.  Make  no  more  delay. 

IX.  XII. 

Here  Eternal  Wisdom  When  shall  love,  in  glory, 
Lately  made  His  home  ;  Its  fruition  see  ? 

And  again  will  claim  it,  When  shall  hope  be  lost  in 
In  the  days  to  come  ;  Immortality?  " 

The  last  solemn  services  are  rendered,  and  the  people 
disperse  :  But  now  comes  the  after-part — the  saddest,  the  most 
terrible*  time  to  those  who  are  left  behind  in  this  wide, 
wilderness-world.  Oh  !  how  like  a  great,  grinding  machine  it 
sometimes  seems,  pitilessly  crushing  one's  heart  to  powder  ! 
"  They  persecute  him  whom  Thou  hast  smitten  :  and  they  talk 
to  the  grief  of  those  whom  Thou  hast  wounded"  moaned  the 
sweet  Psalmist  of  Israel — probably  after  the  death  of  the 
darling  child  who  was  taken  away  for  his  sin.  But  "He 
knoweth  our  frame  ;  He  remembereth  that  we  are  dust ;"  and 
whispers:  "As  one  whom  his  mother  comforteth,  so  will  I 
comfort  you." 

These  delicate,  inexperienced  young  girls  are  left  in  a 
community  of  common,  illiterate  Germans,  greedy  of  gain  ; 
many  of  whom,  now  that  their  head  is  gone,  are  given  up  to 
drinking  and  other  irregularities.  There  is  no  one  in  the  colony 
to  inspire  confidence  and  offer  counsel  and  protection  to  the 
daughters  of  their  late  employer  in  this  time  of  their  sore  need. 


3l8  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

We  cannot  leave  them  thus  alone.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leonard 
feel  compelled  to  hasten  back  to  the  work  which  is  suffering 
loss  in  their  absence ;  but,  after  much  consultation,  it  is  pleas 
antly  arranged  that  I  stay  with  the  stricken  ones  till  some 
one  shall  come  from  Germany  to  care  for  them. 

TWILIGHT  TALKS. 

The  bustle  and  distraction  of  the  last  week  or  two  is  over, 
and  we  are  sitting,  in  the  still,  twilight  hour,  around  the  cheer 
ful  blaze  of  a  wood  fire.  The  little  Emilie  climbs  into  my  lap, 
and  Hildegarde  draws  her  stool  to  my  feet,  and  lovingly  leans 
her  head  against  me.  They  quietly  listen  while  the  older  sis 
ters  talk  (in  a  singular  mixture  of  German,  French,  Turkish, 
Armenian,  and  English)  of  past  scenes — their  school-life  in 
Germany,  and  the  return  to  Amasia,  after  an  absence  of 
four  years.  Their  father  had  come  out,  with  a  company, 
to  meet  them,  and  was  standing,  for  a  moment,  after  dis 
mounting,  when  he  was  suddenly  kicked  by  a  horse,  se 
verely  injuring  his  right  knee.  He  had  been  ailing  for 
some  time,  and,  in  the  low  state  of  his  system,  nature 
was  slow  in  repairing  the  harm  received  ;  under  the  treat 
ment  of  a  traveling  quack,  an  Italian,  who  boasted  loudly  of 
his  medical  skill,  he  was  undoubtedly  bled  to  death.  They 
said  that  their  father  was  completely  deceived  by  the  false 
promises  of  the  so-called  physician,  who  assumed  great 
authority,  and  would  not  allow  them  to  send  to  Sivas  for  Dr. 
West  ;  and  it  was  only  at  the  last  that  they  managed  secretly 
to  send  the  messenger  who  summoned  their  missionary  friends. 

When  their  father  left  them  and  their  two  brothers  in  the 
"  vaterland,"  he  brought  home  a  "new  mamma" — the  mother 
of  the  precious  pet  of  the  household.  She  was  a  lovely  Chris- 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  319 


tian  woman,  and  her  little  French  Bible,  which  is  brought  for 
me  to  see,  bears  marks  of  careful  study.  Her  influence  over 
her  husband  was  very  marked,  and,  after  her  early  death,  he 
was  led  to  seek  comfort  from  the  living  source  whence  she 
drew  her  daily  supplies. 

I  am  greatly  interested  to  see  how  well  these  young  ladies 
understand  all  the  various  arts  of  housekeeping.  They  are 
adepts  in  baking  and  brewing  ;  are  initiated  in  all  the  mysteries 
of  clear-starching  and  ironing  ;  can  wash,  and  cook,  and  carve, 
if  need  be,  and  look  very  attractive  in  their  dainty  white  caps 
and  aprons,  when  engaged  in  household  work.  All  these  accom 
plishments  were  acquired  at  the  Moravian  school,  where  they 
spent  three  years  :  (Their  fourth  year  of  study  being  spent  in  the 
family  and  under  the  tuition  of  a  French  pastor.)  This  school 
has  a  special  department  for  practical  training  in  domestic  duties 
and  employments  ;  a  sewing-room,  for  instruction  in  cutting  and 
making  one's  garments  ;  a  kitchen,  where  each  pupil  is  required 
to  take  lessons  in  the  culinary  line  ;  a  dining-room,  where  she 
learns  to  carve  and  serve,  and  a  laundry,  where  everything  in  that 
line  is  learned  by  practice,  under  careful  instructors.  This  "  do 
mestic  course  "  is  considered  quite  as  important,  if  not  more  so, 
than  the  intellectual,  by  practical  and  prudent  German  parents, 
and  it  is  generally  relished  by  the  sensible  girls,  who  look  forward 
to  the  natural  fulfillment  of  a  home-sphere,  for  which  it  is  an 
excellent  preparation.  It  would  be  an  admirable  appendix  to 
our  American  boarding-schools  for  young  ladies,  and  might  well 
displace  some  of  the  studies  which  tax  the  mental  at  the 
expense  of  the  physical  development.* 


*  We  believe  that  the  Millenium  will  dawn  when  wives  and  mothers 
learn  that  the  CHEMISTRY  OF  COOKING  is  more  important  than  any  other 
science  or  philosophy  in  its  effect  upon  the  health,  happiness,  and 


320  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


THE  TOWN. 

Amasia  is  truly  a  very  picturesque  old  town.  It  would  be 
famous  if  near  the  seaboard  and  easily  reached  by  travelers 
who  would  portray  its  peculiar  features  to  the  worlJ.  From  the 
windows  of  this  house,  we  look  down  upon  the  narrow  valley, 
through  which  leaps  and  roars  a  mad-rushing  river  ;  its  banks, 
on  either  side,  and  up  the  hill  slopes,  thickly  crowded  with  build 
ings  of  every  description,  for  a  mixed  population  of  perhaps  twen 
ty  or  thirty  thousand.  Huge  rocks  rise  in  lofty  grandeur  around 
it  so  closely  that  they  seem  immense  battlements,  reared  for  a 
safeguard.  An  old  fortress,  perched,  like  an  eagle's  nest,  upon 
the  summit  of  the  highest  peak,  sternly  frowns  upon  the  world 
below.  Thither  the  kings  of  Pontus— whose  open,  vacant 
tombs  now  stare  down  upon  us  from  their  high  places — used  to 
"flee  as  a  bird  to  the  mountain"  in  times  of  danger.  What 
tomes  of  history  lie  buried  in  these  silent  rocks !  What 
pillars  of  testimony  are  they  to  an  unrecorded  past  !  There  is 
a  subterranean  passage,  said  to  be  five  or  six  hundred  feet  in 
length,  and  a  well  of  water,  in  the  heart  of  this  natural  rampart 
— of  great  use  in  ancient  times,  when  besieging  armies 
encompassed  the  place.  The  passage  is  occasionally  explored, 
and  my  brave  missionary  sister  at  Marsovan  once  descended  it 
in  company  with  a  few  friends,  and  had  to  be  almost  dragged 

up  again — a  feat  she  will  never  again  care  to  perform.     It  is 

jf 
now  early  in  April.     The  climate  of  Amasia  is  much  warmer, 

and  the  season  a  month  in  advance  of  Marsovan.     The  soil  of 
the   surrounding  country  is  very  fertile,  and  fruits  of  various 


usefulness  of  their  families.   The  LABORATORY  of  the  KITCHEN  is  respon 
sible  for  a  vast  amount  of  the  vice  and  intemperance  of  our  land  ! 


REGIONS   BEYOND,  321 

kinds  are  grown  in  great  profusion.  The  apples  are  the  best 
in  the  Empire  ;  a  very  choice  variety,  of  delicious  flavor,  speci 
mens  of  which  were  sent  to  England  by  the  British  Consul  at 
Samsoon,  the  last  season,  and  received  one  of  the  first 
premiums.  Fish  and  game  are  abundant,  and  this  region  is 
very  attractive  to  sportsmen.  A  singular  phenomenon  occurred 
here  two  months  ago,  in  the  shape  of  a  waterspout,  which  came 
with  a  mighty,  rushing  sound,  and  emptied  itself  upon  the  lower 
part  of  the  town.  Houses  were  torn  from  their  foundations  ; 
men,  horses,  and  oxen,  with  their  heavy  wagons,  were  swept  into 
the  river.  Women  and  children  wept  and  screamed,  while 
many  fell  upon  their  knees  in  terror,  and  prayed,  thinking  that 
the  day  of  judgment  had  come.  When  the  cloud  passed  away, 
strange  fish,  of  a  size  never  before  seen,  were  found  scattered  in 
the  streets,  and  were  speared  on  the  river  banks.  And  wives 
and  mothers  went  up  and  down  the  shore,  wringing  their  hands, 
and  seeking  their  lost  ones.  Whence  the  flood  came  is  still  a 
mystery.  One  can  scarcely  imagine  that  such  a  body  of  water 
could  have  arisen  from  the  Black  Sea,  a  hundred  miles  away. 
It  has  been  suggested  that  there  may  be  a  lake  on  the  summit 
of  some  mountain  not  far  distant  which  gave  rise  to  the  deluge  ; 
but  this  is  mere  conjecture.  Traces  of  the  indisputable  fact 
remain  in  dilapidated  coffee-shops,  and  other  houses  near  the 
river,  where  the  earth  is  all  torn  up,  and  great  boulders  choke 
the  streets. 

Besides  faz"fabrica  " — silk  manufactory — there  are  excel 
lent  flour  mills,  established  here  by  the  German  colony,  and 
they  prepare  a  good  quality  of  macaroni,  and  "  semolena  " — a 
preparation  of  wheat  resembling  farina,  much  used  by  mission 
ary  families.  They  have  also  a  saw-mi1!  in  a  wild,  romantic  place 
beyond  the  town,  where  the  water  comes  down  as  at "  Lodore  " 
14* 


322  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

— foaming,  and  roaming,  and  glancing,  and  dancing,  and  flash 
ing,  and  splashing — amid  thickets  of  heavy  timber,  in  whose 
branches  the  birds  sing  the  livelong  day  ;  and  there  are  charm 
ing  grottoes  and  cool  retreats  for  mid-summer  in  that  secluded 
place. 

PROTESTAN  TISM  IN  A  MA  SI  A . 

A  "helper  "  and  his  wife,  both  from  our  Mission  Schools,  were 
stationed  in  Amasia,  more  than  a  year  ago,  to  labor  among  the 
Armenians  of  the  city  (which  is  an  out-station  of  Marsovan). 
But  the  work  has  evidently  made  "  progress  backward " 
during  their  ministry.  The  husband  is  puffed  up  with  vanity 
and  self-conceit,  and  full  of  high  notions — though  originally  a 
"  servant  of  servants."  The  wife  was  also  from  a  very  poor 
family ;  she  is  a  good,  amiable  woman,  but  the  slowest  of  the 
slow,  and  greatly  disappoints  us  in  allowing  her  husband's  in 
fluence  to  keep  her  from  sympathy  with  her  own  people. 

When  I  go  down  to  the  chapel-room  on  Sunday,  1  find  the 
preacher  reading  one  of  his  stiff,  cold  essays  to  empty  seats. 
Where  there  were  once  forty  or  fifty  regular  attendants,  there 
are  now  not  half  a  dozen.  This  is  very  sad.  Alas  !  that 
so-called  helpers  should  be  hinderers  of  the  work  of  Christ. 
But  arguments,  persuasions,  and  counsel,  however  kind  and 
faithful,  and  oft-repeated,  are  lost  upon  "  the  man  who  is  wise 
in  his  own  conceit." 

The  testimony  of  impartial  judges,  living  in  the  city,  is 
all  against  his  usefulness ;  and,  ere  long,  he  is  dismissed 
from  the  service,  by  the  missionary,  who  has  never  been 
satisfied  with  his  course,  but  has  patiently  borne  with  his  im 
pertinence  and  assumption,  hoping  that  the  man  would  out 
grow  such  childishness.  This  sin  he  lays  at  my  door,  and 
comes  in  wrath  to  pay  me  a  visit.  After  he  has  relieved  his 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  323 


mind  of  the  heavy  burden,  and  become  more  calm,  he  begs 
me  to  use  my  influence  to  get  him  reinstated.  This  I 
frankly  say,  I  cannot  do ;  but  tell  him  how  he  can  show  to 
every  one  his  desire  to  serve  the  Master.  "  There  is  a  vil 
lage  a  few  days  distant  from  Marsovan,  where  the  people 
are  begging  for  a  teacher.  They  offer  a  house,  and  a  cer 
tain  proportion  of  his  support.  Now,  if  you  will  go  there, 
and  work  at  your  trade  (he  was  originally  a  tailor),  sufficiently 
to  make  up  the  rest,  you  may  do  great  good,  and  no  one 
can  say  that  you  do  not  love  Christ's  service." 

The  preacher  is  very  angry ;  he  can  scarcely  restrain 
himself  until  I  finish  speaking,  and  then,  forcibly  striking 
the  table,  he  says,  "  /  go  to  a  village!  I  tell  you,  there 
is  no  command  in  the  New  Testament  for  one  like  me 
to  work  in  the  villages !  "  And  when  I  refer  him  to 
Jesus,  the  Son  of  God,  who  "  went  about  all  the  cities 
and  villages,  teaching,  and  preaching  the  gospel  of  the 
kingdom,"  he  quickly  leaves  the  room.  Villagers  are 
looked  down  upon  by  city  people  as  a  low  and  inferior 
class,  very  much  as  in  ancient  times,  when  the  word  signi 
fied  "  villain  !  " 

The  Armenian  church  is  not  far  distant,  and,  hearing 
the  chanting  of  the  evening  service,  I  find  my  way  to 
the  women's  gallery,  and  quietly  sit  down  among  them. 
The  place  is  crowded,  but  very  little  attention  seems  to 
be  given  to  the  services.  In  fact,  few  can  see  or  hear 
enough  to  awaken  any  interest.  At  the  tinkling  of  the  lit 
tle  bells,  the  women  cross  themselves,  and  bow,  and  mutter 
a  few  words,  but  they  are  much  more  engaged  in  gossiping, 
and  a  busy  hum  of  voices  prevents  my  catching  scarce  a  word 
of  the  reading  and  chanting  that  is  going  on  below ;  so  I  enter 


324  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

into  conversation  with  a  sad,  weary-looking  woman  sitting  at 
my  side,  telling  her  something  of  "  what  we  all  believe  "  about 
Christ;  and  presently  open  my  little  Armenian  Testament, 
and  read  a  few  verses.  Others  begin  to  listen,  and  by-and- 
by  I  have  quite  an  audience.  It  is  delightful  to  unfold  to 
them  the  teachings  of  our  Savior  in  the  Sermon  on  the 
Mount,  in  their  own  spoken  language.  When  I  leave,  they 
beg  me  to  come  again,  and  give  them  more  of  the  "  sweet 
words;"  which  I  gladly  promise  to  do.  But  on  the  morrow, 
when  I  ascend  the  stairs,  push  away  the  inner  door  of  green 
baize,  and  enter,  no  welcome  awaits  me.  Instead,  there  is  a 
buzz  of  confusion,  and  remonstrance,  in  the  hive !  One 
coarse,  loud-voiced  woman  rudely  bids  me  begone ;  and 
even  raises  her  hand  to  enforce  her  words  with  an  emphatic 
shove;  but  I  draw  myself  up,  and  calmly  look  at  her;  her 
hand  drops,  and  she  shrinks  back,  somewhat  abashed.  I 
see  some  of  those  who  were  so  cordial  yesterday,  but  their 
faces  are  averted.  As  I  linger  a  moment,  the  one  with  whom 
I  had  the  most  conversation,  comes  in,  leading  her  little  boy 
by  the  hand.  I  ask  her  the  cause  of  this  treatment,  and 
she  kindly  answers,  "  The  priests  are  very  angry  because 
you  came ;  they  have  forbidden  us  to  see  or  listen  to 
'  the  woman  with  the  Book  /  and  it  is  better  for  us  that 
you  go !  "  I  turn  away,  sad  at  heart,  for  these  priests, 
like  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  of  old,  u  shut  up  the  king 
dom  of  heaven  against  men ;  they  neither  go  in  them 
selves,  or  suffer  them  that  are  entering  to  go  in."  The  few 
Protestant  families  in  the  city  seem  spiritually  cold  and 
dead,  and  the  work  is  in  a  very  discouraging  state. 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  325 

TIDINGS  FROM  HOME. 

A  packet  of  letters  comes  from  Marsovan,  containing 
several  from  the  far-away  home-land.  A  glance  at  the  well- 
known  superscription  assures  me  that  one  is  from  my  mother ; 
I  open  it,  and  the  first  words  are  these  :  "  Will  you  weep, 
or  will  you  rejoice,  when  I  tell  you  that  your  (so  long  and 
sorely  afflicted)  brother  G.  is  no  more  an  inhabitant  of 
earth  ?  As  for  me,  I  look  up,  and  see  my  five  sons  there, 
with  their  father,  and  can  say,  exultingly,  '  SURELY,  I 

HAVE     HELPED     TO     PEOPLE     HEAVEN!"        Blessed    mother! 

always  so  delicate,  so  unfitted  to  battle  with  earth's  storms, 
and  with  such  unspeakable  love  and  tenderness  for  her  chil 
dren.  It  is  a  miracle — a  wonderful  triumph  of  faith,  that 
the  loss  of  her  "  Benjamin,"  in  whom  so  many  hopes  were 
garnered,  does  not  call  forth  the  cry,  "  All  thy  waves  and 
thy  billows  are  gone  over  me  !  /  am  come  into  deep  waters  /" 
But  God  is  faithful :  He  hath  delivered  "  in  six  troubles, 
yea,  in  seven  there  shall  no  evil  touch "  His  beloved. 
These  thoughts  shape  themselves  into  a  few  simple  lines  :  — 

The  billows  bore  her  up  ! 
She  rose  upon  each  crested  wave 

That  swept  her  treasures  from  her  sight, 
Nearer  to  Him  who  gave, 

Higher,  to  heavenly  light. 

The  billows  bore  her  up  ; 
Amid  the  fierceness  of  the  storm 

That  burst  upon  her  ag6d  head, 
She  saw  the  Master's  form, 

And,  "  Peace;  fear  not  !"  He  said. 

The  billows  bore  her  up  ; 
Faith  rose  triumphant  o'er  the  grave, 


326  THE   ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 

On  heaven  born  wings,  beyond  the  night, 
Victorious  palms  to  wave, 
With  the  Redeemed  in  light. 

The  billows  bore  her  up; 
With  eyes  uplift,  and  heart  in  heav'n, 

She  sang,  "  All  safe  !  but  gone  before  ; 
My  barque  is  only  driv'n 

Where  tempests  beat  no  more  !  " 

THE  ARRIVAL  FROM  GERMANY. 

Herr  Metz  has  arrived  from  Germany;  he  is  the  son  of 
the  head  of  the  house  in  Freiburg,  and  the  younger, 
traveling  member,  of  the  firm  which  has  its  branches  in 
various  parts  of  the  world.  Through  some  Turkish 
stupidity,  the  telegram  was  fourteen  days  in  reaching  its 
destination,  and  it  is  nearly  a  month  since  it  was  sent.  He 
seems  very  grateful  for  my  stay  during  the  interval.  It  is 
interesting  to  note  the  change  produced  among  the  people 
by  the  presence  of  an  earnest,  energetic,  wide-awake  man  ! 
It  is  like  a  fresh  breeze  from  the  north,  infusing  new  life, 
and  setting  all  the  wheels  of  the  machinery  in  regular 
motion.  Every  man,  woman,  and  child  in  this  German 
colony  feels  the  healthful  effect !  Another  proof  that,  after 
all,  everybody  likes  to  be  well  governed.  They  are  certainly 
happier  for  it,  whether  they  acknowledge  it  or  not.  On 
Sunday,  their  chapel  is  opened  once  more,  and  a  respectable 
congregation  attend  the  service,  of  which  he  takes  charge. 
The  school-master  used  to  perform  this  office,  but  he  died  a 
year  ago,  and  of  late  there  has  been  no  one  to  take  that 
place.  They  are  without  a  pastor,  and  Herr  Metz  is  anxious 
that  "Missionary  Leonard"  should  come,  and  "give  the 
people  the  Communion,"  while  he  is  with  them  ;  for  they  are 
all  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  327 

But  this  he  cannot  consent  to  do.  Their  drinking  and 
Sabbath-breaking  habits  makes  the  name  they  bear  a  by 
word  and  a  reproach  among  the  people  of  the  city,  and 
greatly  hinders  the  work  of  Christ.  The  Mission  is  in 
debted  to  the  firm  for  a  valuable  property  in  Tocat,  which 
they  generously  sold  at  a  merely  nominal  price*  for  the 
Seminary  formerly  established  there,  and  it  seems  ungracious 
to  refuse  the  request  of  their  excellent  representative ;  but 
the  Book  says  :  "  If  any  man  that  is  called  a  brother  be  a 
fornicator,  or  covetous,  or  an  idolater,  or  a  railer,  or  a 
drunkard,  or  an  extortioner,  with  such  an  one  no,  not  to 
eat." 

A  good  Protestant  brother  is  passing  through  the  town,  on 
his  way  to  Marsovan,  and  arrangements  have  been  made  for 
my  return,  under  his  escort. 

The  horse  is  brought  to  the  door,  and  I  am  ready  to 
mount,  when  the  bright,  sparkling  little  fairy,  Emilie,  looks 
up  appealingly,  and  says,  in  the  sweet  English  she  has  lately 
learned,  "  Darling  Miss  !  dont  go  away!"  but  the  quiet 
Hildegarde  clings  to  my  dress,  while  tears  silently  fall  from 
her  eyes.  It  is  hard  to  leave  the  precious,  motherless  lambs. 

Just  after  we  pass  out  of  the  city,  the  unruly  beast  who 
has  been  pressed  into  unwilling  service,  suddenly  plunges, 
and  throws  me  from  his  back  !  Fortunately,  we  are  beyond 
the  rugged  rocks  and  scattered  boulders,  so  that  not  much 
harm  is  received.  But  the  thirty  miles  on  his  back,  proves 
a  very  trying  ride,  and  'tis  great  joy  to  see  once  more 
the  old  mud  house  at  Marsovan  ! 


*  The  commodious  konak  was  unfortunately  burnt,  two  or  three 
years  after  its  occupation,  but  the  land  is  an  excellent  site  fcr  a 
chapel. 


328  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


ANNUAL  MEETING. 

It  is  the  time  "  when  the  tribes  go  up  "  to  Constantinople, 
for  the  yearly  Meeting  of  the  Mission,  and  we  are  among 
the  delegates.  Three  days  of  travel,  mostly  by  the  mountain 
route,  brings  us  again  to  Samsoon.  When  we  reach  the 
summit  whence  the  blue  sea  is  spread  out  before  us,  we 
shout  for  joy,  and  wave  our  handkerchiefs  as  to  a  dear  old 
friend  !  An  Italian  steamer  takes  us  swiftly  to  our  destina 
tion  :  It  is  crowded  with  a  migratory  multitude  of  all  ages 
and  races,  "  some  in  rags,  and  some  in  tags,  and  some  in.  velvet 
gowns,"  going  to  Constantinople  to  seek  employment;  many 
of  whom  are  secured  by  agents,  who  pay  their  fare,  and  own 
their  services  for  a  certain  period.  At  the  landing  we  meet 
other  delegates,  who  have  come  by  different  routes.  Some  of 
them  have  spent  weeks  in  the  weary,  overland  journey,  jog 
ging  along,  day  after  day,  with  wives  and  little  ones,  on 
horses,  mules,  or  donkeys,  carrying  most  of  their  necessary 
food  and  bedding  with  them.  Their  faces  are  bronzed,  per 
haps  blistered,  by  long  exposure  to  the  sun,  and  their  attire 
is  rather  antiquated,  according  to  modern  ideas.  But  the 
worn  travelers  hasten  to  the  various  homes  assigned  for  their 
reception.  T.he  greetings  that  ensue,  are  such  as  one  may 
imagine  will  attend  the  final  gathering  in  the  Father's  House 
above ! 

This  is  the  first  visit  of  more  than  one  missionary-wife 
and  mother,  after  prolonged  isolation  from  the  society  of 
English-speaking  people.  How  her  heart  throbs,  and  what 
unbidden  tears  choke  her  utterance,  as  she  looks  once  more 
upon  dear  familiar  faces,  and  listens  to  loving  voices!  A 
thousand  details  which  no  correspondence  can  supply,  fur- 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  329 

nish  the  theme  of  social  converse,  when  the  heart  finds  full 
utterance  after  long  repression. 

Not  infrequently  such  isolated  laborers  in  the  foreign 
field  have  passed  through  experiences  of  sorrow  and  suffer 
ing  which  intensify  the  emotions  with  which  they  return  to 
the  missionary  homes  at  the  Capital,  where  they  were  first 
welcomed  on  their  arrival  from  their  native  land,  at  the 
commencement  of  their  new  life.  Little  ones  have  been 
given  and  taken  away ;  the  husband,  or  the  wife,  has  been 
early  smitten  down.  Or,  a  failure  of  health  renders  it  im 
peratively  necessary  for  them  to  relinquish  their  chosen 
work,  and  return  to  America.  Some  have  brought  their 
precious  children, — the  "  olive  plants  "  which  have  sprung 
up  around  them  in  the  wilderness,  to  cheer  and  bless  their 
solitude, — only  to  send  them  home  to  be  educated,  and  then 
go  back  alone  to  their  heaven-appointed  work. 

Turning  the  corner  of  a  street,  some  day,  I  suddenly 
come  upon  a  rather  queer- looking  company,  advancing 
from  the  opposite  direction.  The  ladies  all  wear  (home 
made)  "  sun-bonnets,"  and  -the  children  are  somewhat 
ancient  in  appearance ;  one  of  the  overgrown  boys  is 
actually  wearing  the  swallow  -  tailed  wedding  coat  of  a 
missionary,  who  went  out  seventeen  years  before !  It 
is  a  party  of  missionaries,  fresh  from  Persia,  on  their  way 
to  America !  Ah !  how  my  heart  does  them  rever 
ence  !  Fidelia  Fiske,  in  her  sun-bonnet  and  old-fashioned 
dress,  is  more  a  queen  among  women  than  was  she  of  Sheba, 
in  royal  apparel,  with  her  train  of  attendants,  and  caravan 
of  earth's  choicest  treasures  !  * 


*  Yet  the  noble  woman  who  had  so  long  and  so  faithfully  ministered 
to  the  daughters  of  Persia, — where  the  edicts  of  fashion  are  never 


330  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

These  seasons  of  reunion  in  Constantinople  homes  are  like 
Bunyan's  visit  to  the  "  Delectable  Mountains,"  whence  he 
saw  the  gates  of  the  "  Celestial  City."  Kindred  spirits  are 
drawn  together  with  more  than  magnetic  power,  and  sweet 
foretastes  are  enjoyed  of  the  "  rest  that  remaineth,"  and  the 
fellowship  of  saints  above.  To  the  fresh  recruits,  just  ar 
rived  from  the  land  of  our  fathers,  it  is  a  grand  preparation 
for  future  work. 

SUBJECTS  DISCUSSED. 

A  day  or  two  of  rest  and  refreshment  passes.  The  dele 
gates  are  nearly  all  present,  and  now  commences  the  daily 
sessions  of  the  missionary  convocation — a  "Meeting  of  the 
Board,"  on  a  small  scale! 

The  first  half-hour  is  spent  in  a  devotional  exercise,  and 
after  all  the  preliminaries  are  arranged,  business  proceeds  in 
the  usual  order.  There  is  a  formidable  list  of  subjects  on 
the  "  docket,"  mostly  relating  to  the  "  wants  of  the  In 
terior  ;  "  and  the  discussions  are  animated,  and  often  in 
tensely  interesting.  The  Training-Schools,  the  Press,  the 
Postal  and  Diplomatic  Departments,  and  the  Treasury,  each 
in  turn  receives  a  share  of  attention.  Now  and  then,  a 
knotty  question,  or  a  difficult  problem  causes  hours,  and 


known, — felt  sensitive  about  appearing  before  her  own  countrywomen 
in  her  singular  garb;  and,  on  the  sea  voyage  to  her  native  land,  con 
fessed  that  she  was  somewhat  troubled  about  it.  But  our  Father,  who 
"  knoweth  that  ye  have  need  of  these  things,"  put  it  into  the  hearts  of 
some  kind  Christian  women  of  the  Bowdoin  church,  in  Boston,  to  meet 
her  with  a  carriage,  on  her  arrival  at  India  Wharf.  And  when  she  reach 
ed  the  room  prepared  for  her  entertainment,  she  found  her  wardrobe 
supplied  with  every  article  of  dress  necessary  for  her  own  self-respect 
and  comfort  ;  and  as  perfectly  fitting  as  if  the  Lord  had  ordered  her 
measure  to  be  taken  and  sent  on  in  advance,  by  express  ! 


REGIONS  BEYOND.  331 


even  days,  of  earnest  and  anxious  discussion.  Our  beloved 
and  honored  "  Father  "  Goodell  sits  among  us,  his  head  grown 
hoary  and  his  frame  feeble  in  the  service  ;  but  he  occasionally 
electrifies  us  all  by  a  sudden  flash  and  sparkle  of  the  old-time 
play  of  wit  and  fancy.  Some  subject  in  connection  with 
the  funds  of  the  Mission  has  elicited  considerable  thought, 
and  during  a  pause,  he  naively  says,  "  The  care  of  money 
is  very  perplexing  and  responsible  work,  especially  that  of 
the  LORD'S  MONEY.  When  I  was  Treasurer  of  the  Mission, 
years  ago,  I  was  greatly  troubled  at  the  end  of  the  year,  and 
could  scarcely  sleep  at  night,  because  there  was  a  surplus 
in  the  Treasury,  and  I  could  not  tell  how  it  came  there ! 
Well,  we  were  just  going  to  divide  it  up  for  various  objects, 
when  lo  !  there  came  a  letter  from  Persia,  saying  that  it  be 
longed  to  them  ! — It  was  owing  to  changes  in  the  currency. — 
But  a  Treasurer  should  be  a  very  godly  man.  In  fact,  a 
Treasurer  is  always  in  danger  of  falling  from  grace.  The 
treasurer  of  our  Savior's  little  company  went  out  and  hanged 
himself !  "  This  excites  a  general  smile,  which  deepens 
into  laughter,  when  our  faithful  and  facetious  Treasurer,  Mr. 
Pettibone  (then  in  the  chair),  looks  up,  with  a  merry  twinkle, 
and  quietly  says,  "  Any  more  suggestions,  brethren  ?  " 

Some  of  the  questions  to  be  settled  are  as  trying  and  as  difficult 
as  those  which  frequently  come  before  the  "  Prudential  Commit 
tee  " — cf  the  "  Board  " — at  home.  There  may  be  a  missionary  in 
the  field  who  ought  not  to  stay  ;  his  presence  is  actually  harmful 
to  the  work — of  this  his  brethren  are  painfully  conscious  ;  for 
mistakes  are  far  more  fatal  in  this  land  than  in  a  Christian  coun 
try.  A  precedent  once  established  cannot  soon  be  broken  down, 
and  "  custom  "  has  powerful  sway  among  the  people.  A  mission 
ary  who  lacks  the  essential  qualifications  for  foreign  service,  may 


332  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


put  back  the  work  of  evangelization  for  a  score  of  years,  and 
cause  the  loss  of  many  souls.  But  who  shall  tell  him  that  he 
had  better  go  home  ?  And,  suppose  he  has  gone  home,  for  a 
season,  and  wishes  to  return  ;  according  to  custom  at  the  Mis 
sionary  House,  letters  come  from  the  Secretaries,  asking  the 
brethren  if,  judging  from  the  past,  they  truly  wish  his  presence 
and  cooperation  in  the  field  ;  virtually  throwing  the  responsi 
bility  upon  them.  It  is  a  delicate  matter,  and  requires  the 
exercise  of  no  small  degree  of  moral  courage,  and  a  willingness 
to  bear  opprobrium,  rather  than  allow  the  cause  to  suflei 
irreparable  loss.  Kind  Christian  hearts  instinctively  shrink 
from  hurting  the  feelings  of  a  brother  ;  but,  shall  the  Savior  be 
"  wounded  in  the  house  of  His  friends  ?"* 

These  and  kindred  subjects  are  freely  talked  over  by 
the  "brethren  and  sisters"  in  our  little  evening  gather 
ings  at  the  various  homes.  "Missionary  policy"  is  a  fer 
tile  theme,  and  "uniformity  in  the  pay  of  native  agents" 
comes  under  this  head.  Mr.  Parsons,  of  Nicomedia,  hu.j 
long  advocated  an  approach  to  uniformity  on  this  basis, 
viz.:  that  every  preacher  should  receive  one-third  more  sal 
ary  per  month  than  the  wages  of  the  best  artisans  in  the 
place  where  he  labors.  This  he  considers  a  just  proportion, 
not  beyond  the  ability  of  the  people  to  assume,  when  they 
shall  come  up  to  self-support.  It  works  disastrously  when  the 
preachers  and  teachers  at  one  station  receive  much  larger  sala 
ries  than  those  tinder  the  supervision  of  a  missionary  in 


*  Experience  and  observation  confirm  the  conviction,  that  MORAL 
COURAGE  is  one  of  the  rarest  of  virtues  among  Christians  at  the  pres 
ent  day.  Many  a  servant  of  Christ  (like  Elijah)  boldy  hews  to  pieces 
the  priests  of  Baal, — before  the  Lord, — and  then  FLEES  FROM  THE 

WRATH  OF  AX  OFFENDED  WOMAN  ! 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  333 


an  adjoining  station.  The  love  of  money  is  indeed  the  "root 
of  all  evil."  Wherever  there  is  trouble  among  these  infant 
churches,  money  seems  to  be  at  the  bottom  of  it  !  It  is  not 
strange  that  Secretary  Mullens,  of  London,  who  has  himself 
been  a  missionary  of  wide  experience,  should  say  to  the  band 
who  were  going  to  Northern  China,  "  Try  to  gel  along  without 
money" 

Some  of  the  young  missionaries  are  here  from  Bulgaria. 
They  are  laying  foundations,  and  meet  with  many  discourage 
ments.  One  earnest  soul,  panting  for  conquests,  like  a  soldier 
in  full  armor  rushing  into  the  battlefield,  is  disheartened.  The 
people  do  not  come  in  crowds,  and  sit,  with  open  mouths,  to  be 
fed  ;  on  the  contrary,  they  repel,  and  resist,  in  many  cases,  the 
entrance  of  the  truth.  His  Sunday  congregation  "  averages  two 
and  one-half,"  he  says  ;  and  the  work  is  slow  and  painful  to  one 
who  came,  glowing  with  ardor,  from  a  precious  outpouring  of  the 
Spirit — in  the  church  at  home,  where  his  labors  had  been 
abundantly  blessed.  The  husbandman  hath  need  of  "long 
patience,  until  he  receives  the  early  and  latter  rain."  And,  oh  ! 
how  much  does  he  need  the  sympathy  and  prayers  of  "  them 
that  tarry  by  the  stuff"  at  home,  in  this  most  trying  and  most 
important  period  of  his  work. 

The  day  is  not  far  distant  when  these  faithful  servants  of 
Christ,  who  now  go  forth  "weeping,  bearing  precious  seed, 
shall  come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  their  sheaves  with 
them." 

Earnest  conversations  are  held  by  the  younger  members  of 
the  Mission  concerning  the  basis  upon  which  the  work  of 
evangelization  shall  be  built.  Shall  it  be  Education — using 
schools  as  machines  with  which  to  work  upon  the  people  ?  Or, 
shall  the  Master's  plan — the  Apostolic  method  of  preaching 


334  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

the  Gospel,  take  the  precedence  ?  My  own  experience,  thus 
far,  leads  me  to  advocate  the  latter  as  the  more  normal,  and 
hence  the  more  healthful  mode  of  development.  It  will  be  a 
slower  process ;  apparent  results,  so  earnestly  craved,  will  not 
so  early  cheer  the  eyes  and  heart ;  but,  where  the  soil  is  first 
prepared,  the  good  seed  will  more  deeply  take  root)  and,  in  due 
time,  bring  forth  a  glorious  harvest.  After  people  have 
accepted  the  truth,  and  their  eyes  are  open  to  see  the  need  of 
Christian  education  for  their  children,  they  are  much  more 
grateful  for  aid  in  that  direction,  and  much  more  ready  to  do 
for  themselves;  instead  of  reversing  the  order,  and  considering 
the  missionary  under-  obligations  to  them,  because  they  have 
done  him  the  favor  of  sending  their  children,  and  consequently 
expecting,  if  not  demanding,  the  supply  of  all  their  bodily 
necessities,  and  perhaps,  also,  their  future  employ  and  support, 
whether  they  are  useful  or  not!  This  fact  is  patent ;  it  under 
lies  all  Christian  work  for  the  masses,  in  all  lands,  because  we 
deal  \vith  human  nature,  which  is  everywhere  the  same. 

Another  question  of  importance  in  the  Meeting,  is  the  loca 
tion  of  new  missionaries,  the  final  decision  having  been 
left  by  the  Secretaries  of  the  Board  to  the  Mission  assembled 
for  consultation  ;  and  many  things  must  be  taken  into  con 
sideration  in  each  case  :  the  language  to  be  acquired ;  the 
climate ;  the  needs  of  the  various  places ;  and  of  the  mission 
aries  who  eloquently  assert  their  claim  to  the  new-comers. 
Letters  are  read  from  headquarters  at  Boston,  in  which 
appears  that  dreaded  word — "  RETRENCH  !" 

It  cuts  to  the  heart  like  the  piercings  of  a  sword.  Are  the 
churches  at  home  so  poor  that  the  knife  must  be  applied 
to  vines  that  have  just  begun  to  bear  living  fruit  in  this  less 
favored  land  ? 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  335 

Must  the  door  be  shut  against  the  souls  that  are  only  now 
beginning  to  press  into  the  kingdom  ? 

At  this  point  every  heart  melts,  and  business  is  suspended 
for  a  brief  season  of  prayer. 

THE  SERMON,   THE  REPORTS,  AND   THE  LAST  GREAT 
DA  Y  OF  THE  FEAST. 

The  annual  sermon  is  preached  by  one  of  the  "  fathers." 
He  has  chosen  for  his  text  the  words  of  Joshua — "  There 
remaineth  yet  very  much  land  to  be  possessed."  After 
reviewing  the  past  history  of  the  Mission,  he  turns  to  the 
present,  with  its  increasing  facilities  and  encouragements 
and  ever  and  anon  rings  out  the  pathetic  appeal,  "  The  har 
vest  truly  is  great,  but  the  laborers  are  few ;  pray  ye,  there 
fore,  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  He  send  forth  more 
laborers." 

The  interest  culminates  when  the  different  "  Station 
Reports "  are  read.  English  friends,  and  others  of  va 
rious  nationality, — Scotch  missionaries  to  the  Jews,  and 
perhaps  a  passing  traveler  or  two, — are  with  us  on  this 
occasion.  Our  friends  at  home,  who  receive  but  a 
meagre  portion  of  these  thrilling  narratives  in  the  col 
umns  of  the  Missionary  Herald,  cannot  conceive  the  in 
terest  of  a  "  Missionary  Concert,"  where  reports  come  fresh 
and  glowing  from  the  heart,  before  they  have  had  time  to 
cool  in  crossing  the  Atlantic !  To  the  laborers,  assembled 
after  long  and  patient  toil  in  separate  portions  of  the  field, 
nothing  can  be  more  inspiring  than  this  outlook.  Every 
heart  feels  the  grandeur  of  the  enterprise ;  every  hand  is 
placed  more  firmly  upon  the  "  Gospel-plough,"  and  every 
eye  looks  up  for  the  blessing,  without  which,  "  Paul  may 


336  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


plant  and  Apollos  water  in  vain  ;" — and  then  we  sing,  "  I  love 
thy  kingdom,  Lord,"  as  we  never  sang  it  before ! 

A  week  or  ten  days  have  quickly  passed,  and  the  last 
"  great  day  of  the  feast "  has  arrived.  We  gather  around 
the  table  of  our  Lord  and  Master ;  not  many  words  are 
spoken ;  hearts  are  too  full ;  but  the  solemn  silence  is  elo 
quent;  and  chastened  countenances  speak  of  that  "  inward 
and  invisible  "  communion,  of  which  the  outward  is  but  a 
sign  and  symbol.  The  last  hymn  is  sung  with  quivering 
lips ;  the  benediction  is  pronounced ;  but  no  one  is  ready 
to  go  down  from  that  mount  of  blessing :  a  spell  seems  to 
bind  every  one  to  the  spot.  "  Sifting  together  in  heavenly 
places"  at  last  whispers  one;  and  hands  are  grasped,  and 
tears  and  smiles  commingled,  form  a  rainbow-like  radiance 
upon  many  a  face. 

Heart  has  been  knit  to  heart  in  a  bond  that  can  never  be 

broken. 

"  Our  hopes,  our  joys,  our  aims  are  one, 
Our  comforts,  and  our  cares  :" 

It  is  hard  to  separate,  not  knowing  what  may  befall 
the  different  members  of  our  beloved  band,  before  an 
other  year  comes  round.  We  cannot  forget  that,  but  one 
year  ago,  a  strong  and  noble  brother  whom  we  had  just 
learned  to  love,  fell  by  the  hand  of  the  assassin,  on  his 
return  ;  and  the  young  wife  soon  followed  her  husband  to  the 
grave.  We  glance  with  tender  emotion  at  those  heads  already 
wearing  the  "  crown  of  glory;"  the  "  fathers  "  seem  ripe  for 
Heaven.  But, 

"When  we  stand  with  Christ,  in  glory, 
Looking  o'er  life's  finished  story," 

how  shall  we  thank  Him  for  linking  our  hearts  and  names  in 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  337 


earth's  grandest  service,  with  some  of  the  choicest,  purest, 
and  most  self-abnegating  spirits  the  world  has  ever  known ! 
The  pioneers  of  this  Mission,  the  leaders  in  this  "  REFOR 
MATION,"  were  no  ordinary  men.  They  were  as  truly  "  born 
for  this  time,  and  work,"  as  was  Paul,  or  Luther.  They  rank 
among  the  true  heroes  of  earth's  history.  Ah  !  how  infinitely 
inferior  seem  the  names  and  exploits  of  Napoleon,  of  Wel 
lington,  and  Nelson  beside  these  captains  of  the  Lord's  host — 
Dwight,  Goodell,  Schauffler,  Hamlin,  Riggs.  Most  nobly 
have  they  stood  at  the  helm  to  guide  the  richly  freighted 
Gospel-ship  through  troubled  waters  to  a  port  of  peace.  In 
the  darkest  hour  their  faith  has  never  failed.  As  the  work 
of  God  widened  and  deepened  throughout  the  land,  with  the 
passage  of  each  year,  they  were  gradually,  though  reluctant 
ly,  withdrawn  from  much  of  that  direct  individual  labor 
which,  from  the  beginning,  was  so  remarkably  blessed  in 
results.  Constantinople  became  more  and  more  the  great 
ARMORY  to  prepare  weapons  for  the  outlying  fields  of  battle. 
Little  time  was  left  for  hand-to-hand  encounter  with  the  ene 
my  in  their  own  midst.  And  every  man  at  his  separate  post 
fairly  staggered  beneath  the  burden  imposed  upon  him. 

THE.   WORK  AT   THE   CAPITAL. 

With  every  year  the  machinery  of  the  Mission  becomes 
more  weighty  and  complicated.  The  Press,  with  its  transla 
tors,  and  proof-readers,  and  colporteurs,  ever  crying,  "  Give, 
give!"  The  Treasury,  with  accounts  in  many  different  and 
fluctuating  currencies,  looking  forward  to  the  fountain-head, 
at  Boston,  and  backward  to  each  missionary  station  in  its 
estimate  for  the  current  expenses  of  each  year.  The  Postal 
Department,  increasing  its  taxations  with  each  addition  to  the 
IS 


338  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


missionary  force.  The  Educational  "  Bureau,"  establishing 
and  superintending  schools.  The  Diplomatic  Bureau,  di 
gesting  and  preparing  reports  of  persecution  from  remote 
districts,  carrying  each  case  before  the  English  and  Ameri 
can  Ambassadors  for  representation  and  redress  at  the 
Sublime  Porte.  The  "  Commissariat,"  receiving  and  for 
warding  supplies  of  all  kinds  for  the  army  cf  the  Interior. 
The  "  Sanitary  "  Department,  caring  for  the  battered  soldiers 
who  come  back  to  Constantinople  as  the  "  Army  Hospital ;" 
or,  sending  them  on  their  way  to  the  fatherland  once  more 
to  breathe  their  native  air,  and  revive  amid  old  scenes  and 
old  friends.  And  the  "Committee  of  Reception  and  Enter 
tainment,"  of  comers  and  goers,  to  "  bring  them  forward  on 
their  journey  after  a  godly  sort."  Persia  pours  her  tide  of 
missionary  life  through  Constantinople.  All  the  wants  of 
that  Mission  are  supplied  through  this  channel.  Now,  a 
wave  from  the  shore  of  the  Western  World  sends  a  noble 
company  of  devoted  men  and  women  to  this  port,  to  tarry 
for  a  little,  and  then  proceed  by  the  Black  Sea  to  ancient 
Trepezius — Trebizond — where  they  commence  the  tedious 
journey  of  weeks,  over  rugged  mountains  and  desolate 
plains,  infested,  oftentimes,  with  bands  of  robbers.  Anon, 
a  reflex  wave  brings  back  over  the  same  weary,  toilsome 
route,  a  stricken  remnant,  or  a  few  broken-down  laborers 
whose  strength  scarcely  suffices  for  the  journey  home,  re 
ceived  as  "  angels,  and  entertained  "  awares  I  *  *  *  * 
All  this  is  but  a  part  of  the  blessed  burden  that  must  ever 
fall  to  the  share  of  the  missionaries  at  the  Capital.  "  Besides 
those  things  that  are  without,  that  which  cometh  daily,  the 
care  of  all  the  churches."  Stamboul  is  the  heart  of  the 
Turkish  'Empire  ;  and  with  each  throb,  it  sends  streams  of 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  339 


life,  or  of  slow  poison,  ending  in  death,  through  every  artery 
and  vein  of  the  great  system  !  This  fact  renders  its  thorough 
occupation  and  evangelization  of  vastly  more  importance 
than  any  other  point  in  the  field.  It  is  essential  to  the  spirit 
ual  welfare  of  each  missionary  station  in  the  interior,  that 
the  representative  churches  at  the  Capital  be  well  grounded 
in  the  faith,  letting  their  "  light  shine."  Loss  here,  inevitably 
entails  suffering  there,  sooner  or  later.  But  this  has  not  al 
ways  been  fully  appreciated  by  those  at  a  distance  from  the 
centre,  whose  hearts  have  been  filled  with  the  needs  of  their 
own  immediate  fields ;  for  missionaries  are  not  angels,  but 
men  and  women,  with  all  the  weaknesses  and  wants  of  com 
mon  humanity.  Consequently,  the  Capital  has  often,  if  not 
always,  been  inadequately  manned,  and  its  overtasked  labor 
ers  might  well  take  up  the  lament,  "  They  made  me  keeper 
of  the  vineyards,  but  mine  own  vineyard  have  I  not  kept." 
Oh,  that  the  Christian  world  could  but  rise  to  an  elevation 
whence,  with  one  sweeping  glance,  it  might  survey  this  vast 
battle-field,  and  take  in  the  grandeur  of  the  warfare  that  is 
going  on  !  Surely,  neither  men  nor  money  would  be  wanting 
for  this  army  of  which  Christ  is  the  "  Commander-in-chief!" 

THE   OUTLOOK. 

The  Turkish  Empire  is  the  home  of  many  races.  A  vast  res 
ervoir  into  which  the  severed  fragments,  the  debris  of  ancient 
nations,  have  been  swept  by  the  flood  of  time  and  the  ravages 
of  war :  Each  race  retaining  its  own  distinctive  language,  re 
ligion,  and,  more  or  less,  its  national  customs  and  costume; 
but  all  alike  subject  to  one  government,  abjectly  yielding  al 
legiance  to  the  Moslem  usurpers  of  the  soil.  Of  the  thirty 
millions  who  comprise  its  population,  the  ruling  race — Os- 


340  THE    ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 


manlis — form  but  little  more  than  one-third  :  The  remainder 
is  made  up  of  Greeks,  Armenians,  Syrians,  Arabs,  Jews,  Cir 
cassians,  Turkoomans,  and  Koords,  with  an  intermixture  of 
the  descendants  of  the  ancient  Medes,  Chaldeans,  and  Par- 
thians  :  Besides  the  Slavic  races  of  European  Turkey,  among 
whom  are  four  millions  Bulgarians,  the  millions  more  of  Rou- 
mans  or  Wallachs,  in  the  Danubian  principalities,  the  Arnauts, 
or  Albanians,  the  Druses  of  Syria,  and  the  Copts,  Nubians, 
etc.,  etc.,  of  Africa.  It  is  a  huge  conglomeration,  forming  one 
unwieldy  nation,  with  no  common  bond  of  union,  no  spirit  of 
patriotism  to  produce  a  powerful  public  sentiment.  But  God 
evidently  preserved  and  brought  them  thus  together  for  some 
far-reaching  and  all-wise  purpose.  His  hand  set  in  motion 
the  forces  which  should  pour  a  tide  of  new  life  into  this  de 
caying  empire,  and  mould  its  disintegrated  and  antagonistic 
masses  into  one  living  body,  whose  Head  shall  be  Christ  the 
Lord. 

This  is  the  Christian  Crusade  of  the  nineteenth  cen 
tury  ;  far  exceeding  in  moral  sublimity  that  of  the  olden 
time,  when  the  kings  of  the  earth  banded  themselves  to 
gether  to  rescue  the  Holy  Land  from  the  hand  of  the  Turk ! 

How  wonderful  that  the  Great  Commission, — the  Master's 
last  Command,  uttered  in  this  very  land,  more  than  eighteen 
hundred  years  ago,  should  have  been  caught  up,  and  re 
echoed  in  the  New  World,  by  a  nation  not  yet  a  century  old  ! 
That  scores  of  its  sons  and  daughters  should  carry  the 
"  glad  tidings  "  from  the  Caspian  and  Black  Seas  on  the 
north,  beyond  the  Mediterranean  on  the  south  : — In  the 
country  of  Eden,  and  Ararat, — the  cradle  of  the  human  race  ; 
on  the  plains  of  Mesopotamia, — the  home  of  Abraham  ; 
among  the  mountains  of  Koordistan,  and  all  along  the 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  341 


course  of  the  sacred  rivers  Euphrates  and  Tigris,  where 
Jeremiah  wept,  and  Daniel  prayed  ;  and  the  Nile,  where 
the  "  Lawgiver  "  was  raised  up  to  deliver  his  people :  In 
Palestine,  where  the  "  Word  was  made  flesh  and  dwelt 
among  men,"  the  land  of  Gethsemane  and  Calvary, — and 
through  all  the  provinces  of  Asia  Minor,  where  once  the 
feet  of  the  apostles  trod ;  that  now,  as  then,  "  Parthians, 
and  Medes,  and  Elamites,  and  the  dwellers  in  Mesopotamia, 
and  in  Judea  and  Cappadocia,  in  Pontus,  and  Asia,  Phry- 
gia,  and  Pamphylia,  in  Egypt,  and  in  the  parts  of  Lybia 
about  Cyrene,  and  strangers  of  Rome,  Jews  and  proselytes, 
Cretes  and  Arabians,"  may  hear  the  "  wonderful  works  of 
God,  every  man  in  his  own  tongue  !"  "  And  that  repent 
ance  and  remission  of  sins  should  be  preached  in  His 
NAME,  among  all  nations." 

SUMMER  -  SCENES. 

Here  we  are  again,  at  our  work  in  Marsovan.  We  enter 
into  all  its  details  with  new  zest,  after  our  recent  conference 
at  Constantinople,  and  with  a  feeling  somewhat  akin  to  pity 
for  our  sisters  there,  whose  time  and  strength  must  neces 
sarily  be  so  devoted  to  "  serving  tables,"  that  they  are  de 
prived  of  much  that  fills  and  satisfies  our  hearts.  And  in 
the  intervals  of  leisure,  it  is  very  pleasant  to  review  the 
scenes  of  those  two  weeks.  Before  leaving,  we  took  a  little 
trip  to  Nicomedia,  and  enjoyed  a  rather  novel  experience 
on  the  way,  in  the  Turkish  steamer.  It  was  densely 
crowded,  people  sitting  flat  upon  the  deck,  and  we  found  it 
almost  impossible  to  secure  a  spot  where  we  might  spread 
our  rug.  By  dint  of  perseverance,  and  perhaps  a  little 
pressure,  we  finally  managed  to  settle  ourselves  in  the  im- 


iTrt    i7i.(:_*    '^nmrLs. 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  343 


rheumatism,  a  few  years  before  her  death,  and  when  her 
favorite  physician,  Dr.  Millengen,  (who,  by  the  way,  was  one 
of  Lord  Byron's  medical  attendants  in  his  last  illness),  in 
formed  her  of  these  mineral  waters,  and  their  virtue  in 
olden  times,  she  at  once  ordered  the  baths  restored.  When 
they  were  ready,  she  proceeded  thither,  and  proved  their 
efficacy ;  and  since  that  time  the  place  has  become  the  re 
sort  of  many  who  are  similarly  afflicted.  A  number  of  Ar 
menian  women,  sitting  near  us,  were  going  on  a  pilgrimage 
to  one  of  the  many  "  holy  places  "  in  the  country, — sanctified 
by  some  saint, — that  they  might  pay  the  vows  which  their 
souls  had  made  in  times  of  trouble.  Three  or  four  of  them 
were  nuns ;  the  first  that  I  had  seen  belonging  to  the  Arme 
nian  Church.  They  were  full  of  curiosity  about  me,  and 
my  "  belongings  ;  "  and  after  a  deal  of  questioning,  evidently 
classed  me  among  the  saintly  sisterhood  !  They  said  that 
they  had  "  renounced  the  world,"  and  had  taken  upon  them 
selves  the  vow  of  celibacy.  Their  ignorance  of  spiritual 
things  was  pitiable ;  with  all  their  pretensions  to  sanctity, 
they  could  not  obtain  even  a  dim  comprehension  of  a 
Christian  life  which,  while  in  the  world  is  not  of  it.  And 
after  I  had  read  a  few  passages  from  the  New  Testament, 
they  showed  their  distaste  by  avoiding  further  conversation. 
O,  who  would  dare  to 


"  Break  the  sweet  ties  that  God  hath  given, 

And  seek  to  win  His  heaven 

By  leaving  home-work  all  undone, 

The  home-race  all  unrun, 

The  fair-home  garden  all  untill'd, 

The  home-affections  all  unfilled  ; 

As  if  these  common  rounds  of  work  and  love 

Were  drags  to  one  whose  spirit  soared  above 


344  T1IE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


Life's  tame  and  easy  circle,  and  who  fain 
Would  earn  her  crown  by  self-taught  toil  and  pain, 
And  leave  the  home  where  blessings  fall  like  light 
For  self  made,  by-paths,  shaded  o'er  with  night !"  * 

By-and-by,  I  heard  some  one  humming  an  operatic  air, 
and  looking  around,  recognized  a  well-dressed  Armenian 
merchant,  whom  I  had  before'  met  in  Nicomedia.  He  told 
me,  with  great  enthusiasm,  of  the  new  Armenian  theatre  in 
Pera,  an  imitation  of  the  French ; — that  all  the  actors  were 
Armenians,  and  that  it  was  "  a  grand  means  of  educating 
their  children  !  "  "  In  this  way,"  he  said,  "  we  can  repro 
duce  the  former  glory  of  our  Armenian  kings  and  queens, 
and  awaken  a  spirit  of  loyalty  and  devotion  to  our  nation  !  " 
We  talked  long  and  earnestly  ;  he  said  that  he  belonged  to  the 
"  liberal  party  "  in  the  Armenian  Church ;  and  assured  me 
that  French  influence  (and,  alas!  French  infidelity)  was 
steadily  gaining  ground  among  them.  Thirty  lads  from  the 
best  Armenian  families  of  Constantinople,  had  recently  gone 
in  a  chartered  steamer  to  Paris,  to  be  educated. 

RECEIVING   VISITS  AND   VISITING. 

We  are  busy  writing  letters  for  the  post,  on  the  afternoon 
of  a  Saturday,  when  a  company  of  fifteen  common,  rude 
Turkish  women  "  storm  our  castle,"  and  we  "surrender  arms ;" 
/'.  e.,  throw  down  our  pens, — and  give  ourselves  to  the  task  of 
satisfying  their  curiosity,  by  showing  them  over  a  part  of  the 
house,  keeping  our  eyes  open,  lest  some  small  articles  should 
disappear  !  Picture  a  group  of  fantastically-dressed  women — 
thowing  aside  their  black  masks,  and  black  and  white  silk 

*  Dr.  Iloratius  Bonar. 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  345 


veils,  or  common  white  sheets — surrounding  the  sewing- 
machine,  which  is  swiftly  turning  off  its  work — their  mouths 
open,  and  eyes  staring!  "  Ajieb  !  Mashalla!" — Wonderful! 
God  is  great ! — they  cry  at  last.  After  they  have  gone,  we  find 
that  our  choicest  flowers  have  borne  them  company  !  This 
is  the  season  when  we  may  expect  many  such  incursions. 
And  very  little  can  be  accomplished  in  the  way  of  teaching 
them,  they  are  so  hard  and  coarse,  so  innately  vulgar.  It 
is  with  difficulty  that  we  can  keep  them  within  bounds,  and 
yet  we  do  not  like  to  close  our  doors  and  refuse  them  ad 
mittance. 

It  is  vastly  more  agreeable  to  go  the  rounds,  following  up 
the  old  man  whom  we  have  employed  to  teach  many  of  the 
elderly  women  to  read  at  their  houses.  Fifty  dollars  a  year, 
furnished  by  a  kind  friend  in  New  York,  pays  for  his  labor; 
he  has  from  twenty  to  thirty  pupils,  and  the  results  are  very 
encouraging.  Passing  into  the  little  court-yard  of  a  humble 
dwelling,  I  see,  through  the  open  door  and  window,  the 
good  woman  I  came  to  visit,  sitting  at  her  loom,  with  her 
book  open  beside  her;  she  is  not  aware  of  my  presence,  and 
it  is  pleasant  to  watch  her  as  she  swiftly  plies  the  shuttle, 
and  then  pauses  to  spell  out  a  few  words,  when  her  work 
goes  on  again.  I  enter  the  room  ;  she  greets  me  with 
a  bright  smile,  and  says,  "  O,  Varzhoohi !  I  have  just  read  a 
verse  all  by  myself,  and  it  is  so  sweet  T  And  the  toil-hard 
ened,  withered  hands  take  up  the  Testament,  and  she  slowly, 
and  stumblingly  reads,  "  Come  unto  Me,  all  ye  that  labor  and 
are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest ;"  while  my  eyes  over 
flow  with  tears  of  joy ;  for  she  had  utterly  despaired  of  learning 
after  many  vain  attempts,  and  it  was  long  before  she  could 
be  persuaded  to  "try  once  more."  "Well,  mother,  are  you 
15* 


346  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


not  glad  now,  that  you  made  one  more  trial,  and  did  not 
give  it  up  entirely?"  "  O,  yes,  I  am  very  glad!"  she  an 
swers;  "I  prayed  to  the  Lord  with  all  my  heart,  and  He 
helped  me  ;  blessed  be  His  name  !"  She  leaves  the  loom, 
and  sits  down  in  the  door-way,  and  we  spend  a  delightful 
half-hour  in  reading  and  talking  about  the  Word,  closing 
with  a  prayer. 

In  another  house,  the  pleasant-looking  woman  of  about 
sixty  years  of  age,  who  keeps  herself  and  everything  about 
her  so  tidy,  brings  her  primer,  and,  sitting  at  my  feet,  spells 
out  a  few  sentences,  stopping  now  and  then  to  tell  me,  with 
childlike  simplicity,  about  her  weak  eyes,  and  how  she  has 
applied  leeches  behind  her  ears,  hoping  thus  to  improve  her 
sight  so  that  she  may  get  on  faster.  She  says,  "  If  I  can  only 
learn  to  read  a  chapter  in  the  Bible  to  myself,  when  I  am 
here  alone,  I  shall  be  content ;"  and  is  greatly  pleased  with 
a  few  words  of  encouragement.  There  are  a  number  of 
younger  women  who  have  learned  more  rapidly,  and  can 
now  read  a  chapter  quite  well. 

Public  sentiment,  which  was  once  so  bitterly  arrayed  against 
education  for  woman,  is  gradually  changing,  at  least  sufficient 
ly  to  allow  them  to  learn  to  read,  if  no  more.  One  day  I 
met  some  women  going  home  from  a  meeting  conducted  by 
Markared,  and  as  I  passed,  I  heard  one  say  to  the  other, 
"What  makes  her  so  pretty?"  "Because  she  reads!"  re 
plied  her  companion.  And  she  was  right.  They  had  un 
wittingly  discerned  something  more  than  mere  beauty  of 
form  or  feature  :  It  was  the  mind,  the  soul,  shining  through 
its  earthly  tabernacle ! 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  347 


SUMMER  FRUITS. 

Marsovan  is  reinforced  !  At  the  Meeting  of  the  Mission  it 
was  voted  to  remove  the  two  Training- Schools  from  the  Capi 
tal  to  this  place.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dodd  were  transferred  from 
Smyrna  to  assist  in  the  work,  and  they  just  have  arrived  with 
their  three  children,  accompanied  by  Miss  Fritcher,  the  new 
teacher,  fresh  from  the  United  States.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith 
will  follow  in  a  few  months.  They  are  all  here  at  present, 
and  the  old  house  is  brimful  of  life  !  We  hardly  know  how 
to  accommodate  ourselves  to  this  "  intermediate  state ;"  it  is 
such  a  contrast  to  the  quiet,  even  tenor  of  our  daily  course, 
hitherto. 

The  season  is  warmer  than  last  Summer,  and  remarkably 
fruitful.  In  the  Spring,  Mr.  Leonard  hired  a  garden,  not  verf 
distant,  for  the  purpose  of  growing  some  vegetables.  There 
were  numerous  fruit  trees  in  it,  but  they  had  been  unpro 
ductive  for  the  last  year  or  two,  and  its  owner  "  let  it  out  " 
for  a  moderate  sum.  Probably  the  deeper  ploughing  and 
working  of  the  soil  was  what  they  needed,  for  everybody  is 
amazed  at  the  result,  and  none  more  so  than  the  old 
Turk,  who  repents  him  of  his  bargain !  The  trees 
were  loaded  with  luscious  cherries,  golden  apricots,  purple 
plums,  the  white  and  black  mulberry,  and  blushing,  downy 
peaches ;  and  now  we  are  luxuriating  on  delicious  pears, 
which  melt  in  the  mouth  like  honey !  They  are  of  a  size 
and  color  rarely  equalled,  brought  to  the  house  by  the  bushel, 
in  great  baskets.  There  is  a  little  shanty  in  the  garden, 
where  the  watchman  stays  at  night ;  "  a  lodge  in  a  garden 
of  cucumbers." 

We  call  to  mind  Joseph's  counsel  to  Pharaoh  during  the 


348  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


seven  years  of  plenty  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  and  think  it  wise 
to  "gather  up  the  food  of  this  good  year;"  and  therefore, 
resolve  ourselves,  "  brethren  and  sisters,"  into  a  "  paring 
bee,"  for  an  evening  or  two  of  each  week,  to  prepare  the 
fruit  for  drying.  And  while  our  hands  are  busily  at  work  in 
the  old  dining-room  down  stairs,  our  tongues  find  full  em 
ployment  ;  each  one  "  bringing  forth  out  of  his  treasure, 
things  new  and  old." 

Now  and  then  a  scintillation  of  wit,  a  playful  sally,  or  a 
spicy  repartee,  causes  a  merry  laugh  to  go  round.  We  are 
not  afraid  of  a  bit  of  fun, — "  sanctified  fun,"  some  one  calls  it ; 
but  it  is  fun,  nevertheless ;  and  we  should  be  a  stupid  set  if 
we  did  not  "  let  nater  caper"  once  in  awhile,  as  Dr.  Lyman 
Beecher  used  to  say. 

"  Why  should  the  children  of  a  King 
Go  mourning  all  their  days?" 

If  anyone  has  a  right  to  be  happy,  it  is  the  Christian  ! — And 
if,  as  Dr.  Chalmers  wisely  said,  "  The  happiest  life  is  that 
which  has  the  fullest  occupation,  with  the  highest  aim,"  then 
missionaries  should  be  the  happiest  people  under  the  sun  ! 

"Varzhabed"  lias  just  returned  from  a  trip  to  the  mountains, 
and  comes  in  to  show  us  a  "new  shrub"  which  he  has  discov 
ered,  bearing  crimson  berries.  We  look  at  it,  and  exclaim  with 
delight,  "  It  is  the  genuine  red  currant  of  our  gardens  at  home  !" 
How  like  a  friend  it  seems.  That  green  sprig,  with  its  crimson 
clusters,  carries  us  back  to  the  thick  rows  of  bushes,  almost 
forming  a  hedge,  around  the  garden  where  we  played  in  child 
hood.  We  see  the  great  apple  tree  in  the  corner,  whose  low, 
broad  arms  encircled  us  on  many  a  hot  summer  day  as  we 
nestled  in  its  green  bower  with  our  book,  and  little  heeded 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  349 


what  the  future  might  bring.  This  incident  leads  to  a  conversa 
tion  about  plants  that  are  not  indigenous  to  this  country.  The 
strawberry,  the  tomato  (in  general  use),  and  the  potato,  were 
introduced  by  foreigners.  It  is  a  singular  fact  that  coffee,  now 
so  notoriously  the  beverage  of  the  Turk,  was  once  prohibited 
at  the  Capital,  and  a  heavy  penalty  imposed  upon  those  who 
should  sell  or  drink  it.  Tobacco  also  fell  under  the  ban  of  a 
Grand  Seignior  of  the  olden  time;  and  an  unlucky  wight,  who 
was  caught  smoking  his  pipe,  had  it  thrust  through  his  nose, 
and  was  paraded  by  a  public  crier  through  the  streets  of 
Stamboul  upon  a  donkey,  with  his  face  turned  to  the  tail !  This 
despotism  may  be  the  secret  of  its  universal  use  ;  for  from  the 
time  of  "  Mother  Eve,"  human  nature  craves  that  which  is 
forbidden. 

We  have  accepted  an  invitation  to  visit  the  vineyards  of  some 
of  our  friends,  and  partake  of  their  "pleasant  fruits."  What  a 
change  a  few  short  months  have  wrought !  Where,  in  the  early 
Spring,  we  saw  but  an  orchard  of  brown  stumps  and  bundles  of 
withered  "branches  gathered  to  be  burned,"  there  is  now  a 
waving  field  of  verdure  richly  laden  with  the  tempting  fruit.  The 
heavy  purple  clusters  lie  prone  upon  the  ground  in  many 
places ;  their  weight  is  too  great  for  the  branches ;  and  we 
continually  call  our  companions  to  look  at  this  or  that  magnifi 
cent  mass  of  the  white,  limpid  variety,  crowded  together  and 
pressing  their  neighbors  in  each  cluster  like  corn  in  an  ear 
bursting  with  fullness. 

There  are  Bible  illustrations  on  every  hand.  If  the  pruning 
knife  had  not  been  fearlessly  applied  in  the  Spring  time,  where 
now  would  have  been  the  "  much  fruit?" 

As  we  survey  the  abundance  around  us,  the  words  of  the 
Psalmist  spring  to  our  lips  :  "  Thou  crownest  the  year  with 


350  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

Thy  goodness,  and  rThy  paths  drop  fatness.  The  little  hills 
rejoice  on  every  side  ;  the  pastures  are  clothed  with  flocks  ;  the 
valleys,  also,  are  covered  over  with  corn  ;  they  shout  for  joy  ; 
they  also  sing." 

HAJIKEUY. 

This  village  of  a  few  hundred  houses  is  an  out-station  of  Mar- 
so  van,  about  four  hours  distant,  under  the  care  of  the  teacher 
of  the  day-school,  an  honest,  simple-minded  brother,  known  by 
everybody  as  "  Deacon  Movses."  Saturday  morning,  at  nine 
o'clock,  Mr.  Dodd  and  I  start  off  to  spend  the  Sunday  there.  The 
roads  are  excellent,  the  weather  propitious,  and  our  hired  horses 
are  in  good  condition.  We  greatly  enjoy  the  ride,  reaching  the 
place  just  at  the  "  noon  call."  The  good  deacon  is  quite  taken 
by  surprise  when  his  gate  swings  open  and  we  ride  in  ;  but  he 
limps  out  to  meet  us  with  a  cordial  welcome  :  a  little,  insignifi 
cant-looking  man  in  person,  but  with  a  good  face :  Deacon 
Movses  is  generally  esteemed  as  a  consistent  Christian ; 
though  exceedingly  slow  in  movement,  lacking  energy  of  char 
acter,  yet  faithful  and  persevering ;  and  so  meek  and  gentle 
withal,  that  he  frequently  insinuates  himself  where  a  bolder 
and  more  aggressive  spirit  might  fail.  He  was  formerly  a 
barber,  and  knows  but  little  besides  his  Bible. 

The  house  occupied  by  him  for  residence,  school-room,  and 
chapel,  consists  of  three  rooms  ;  the  walls  are  low  and  rough, 
the  floor  of  earth,  and  the  windows  open,  or  partly  closed  with 
strips  of  white  paper.  The  location  is  excellent,  being  on  the 
line  between  the  Turkish  and  the  Armenian  quarter.  The  dea 
con,  though  middle-aged,  is  unmarried,  and  his  poor  old  mother 
usually  keeps  house  ;  but  she  happens  to  be  away  at  this  time. 
A  number  of  the  school  children  have  been  assisting  him  in  his 
domestic  duties,  and  they  have  so  plentifully  sprinkled  the  earth- 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  351 


floors  with  water  to  lay  the  dust  in  sweepthg,  that  we  can  find 
no  comfortable  place  to  seat  ourselves.  The  low  windows  are 
set  far  back  under  the  veranda,  and  not  a  ray  of  the  sun  pene 
trates  within  the  rooms  ;  therefore  some  time  must  elapse  ere  we 
can  venture  to  take  possession.  However,  we  find  a  corner  out 
side,  where  we  spread  a  mat,  and  prepare  the  food  which  we 
brought  with  us.  Meanwhile,  crowds  of  children  and  neighbors 
gather  to  gaze  at  us  and  watch  our  proceedings.  •  Their  presence 
proves  so  annoying  that  they  are  sent  away  by  the  deacon,  who 
places  some  one  at  the  outer  door  to  prevent  intruders  till  we 
shall  be  ready  to  receive  those  who  come.  And  there  the  crowd 
wait,  with  eager  impatience,  our  time  to  admit  them.  After  we 
have  rested  a  little,  and  put  away  our  things,  the  word  is  given, 
the  door  thrown  open,  and  they  rush  in,  pell-mell,  as  if  we  were 
so  many  wild  animals  on  exhibition  !  When  we  rode  into  the  vil 
lage  we  heard  many  exclamations  of  surprise  at  my  appearance. 
"  It  is  a  girl,  a  girl  !  Look,  look  !"  and  people  rushed  to  their 
doors  and  windows.  But  a  few  grains  of  truth  are  sown,  while 
they  are  satisfying  their  curiosity,  and,  after  the  first  rush  is 
over,  I  am  glad  to  welcome  a  company  of  Armenian  women, 
who  appear  not  only  willing  but  anxious  to  hear  the  Gospel ; 
others  join  their  number,  and  all  listen  quietly  and  attentively. 
While  I  am  talking  in  Armenian,  Mr.  Dodd  has  succeeded  in 
drawing  around  him  a  group  of  Turkish  mothers,  to  whom  he  is 
speaking  in  their  own  language. 

Thus  the  afternoon  passes  away,  and,  as  the  sun  goes  down, 
we  are  too  tired  to  talk  any  more.  We  go  out  for  a  walk, 
visit  the  Armenian  church,  which  is  quite  new  in  appearance, 
and  the  school  (of  one  hundred  children),  and  find  igno 
rance  and  superstition  reigning  in  both.  We  pass  out  of 
the  village,  among  the  great  cabbage  gardens,  and  along 


352  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

a  delightful  path  lined  with  roses  and  clematis,  above  a 
little  brook  which  softly  murmurs  its  way  beneath  the  over 
hanging  trees  and  shrubs.  Coming  out  upon  a  hillside,  a 
spot  is  pointed  out  beneath  a  clump  of  trees,  where,  in  pleasant 
weather,  the  few  Protestants  of  the  village  are  accustomed  to 
gather  for  public  worship,  and  passers-by  in  the  valley  below, 
are  often  drawn  aside  to  join  them.  Near  this  point  there  is  a 
mulberry  plantation,  and  a  large  house  fitted  up  for  the  care  of  the 
silk-worms.  Cattle  are  quietly  grazing  in  the  green  meadows,  and 
flocks  of  geese  slowly  saunter  by.  Numbers  of  idle  women  and 
children  follow  us  from  place  to  place,  and  bring  the  inmates  of 
each  house  to  the  door  by  their  noisy  cries,  and  we  are  glad  to 
shake  them  off  at  last.  We  make  our  cup  of  tea,  and  eat  our 
supper  in  Turkish  fashion,  sitting  in  one  corner  of  the  veranda, 
not  yet  venturing  to  occupy  the  rooms  within.  But  the  air 
grows  cool,  and  preparations  are  made  for  the  night.  Mr.  Dodd 
has  brought  a  couple  of  hammocks,  and  one  of  them  is  swung 
for  me  in  the  school-room,  being  fastened  to  a  rafter  over 
head,  at  one  end,  and  to  the  lattice  of  the  low  window  opposite 
at  the  other  ;  making  an  inclined  plane  which  I  cannot  help  eye 
ing  rather  suspiciously.  The  only  furniture  of  the  room  is  a 
mat  or  two  on  the  floor,  and  an  earthen  vessel  full  of  wheat  in 
one  corner.  A  box  or  stool  is  brought,  from  which  I  can 
clamber  into  my  lofty  couch  ;  and,  after  extinguishing  the  light, 
I  make  my  first  essay  with  great  caution,  but  speedily  find 
myself  turned  over  and  landed  unceremoniously  upon  the  floor  ! 
The  sudden  fall  produces  a  literal  earthquake,  shaking  the  old 
mud  walls  of  the  little  dwelling  in  a  way  which  brings  out  the 
friends  in  haste  from  the  kitchen,  anxiously  inquiring  if  any 
harm  has  been  done  !  The  next  attempt  is  more  successful,  and 
I  am  fairly  suspended  for  the  night,  beyond  the  reach  of  fleas, 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  353 


and  other  vermin.     But,  oh  !  the  misery  of  a  position  where  one 
is  forever  slipping,  slipping,  slipping  downward ! 

Day  dawns  at  last, — Sunday  morning,  never  more  joyfully 
welcomed;  and  this  is  my  first  and  last  experience  with  ham-' 
mocks  ! 

At  nine  o'clock  the  Armenian  women  come  in,  till  they 
number  thirty-five.  I  read  to  them  the  twelfth  chapter  of  Luke, 
and  afterward  the  twenty-third  Psalm,  setting  before  them  the 
road  that  leads  to  eternal  death,  and  the  way  of  life  and  peace 
everlasting.  They  are  very  quiet,  and  keep  me  talking  for 
two  hours  or  more.  At  noon  Mr.  Dodd  takes  charge  of  the 
regular  meeting.  There  are  twelve  men  and  three  women 
present.  It  is  impossible  to  get  any  rest  between  the  services. 
If  I  shut  myself  in  the  school-room,  women  and  children  per 
sist  in  gathering  around  the  windows,  rudely  gazing  and  talk 
ing  about  me  ;  and,  if  I  go  out,  it  is  no  better  ;  so  I  submit  to  be 
persecuted  for  the  sake  of  the  Cause.  At  three  o'clock  the  chil 
dren  come  to  the  Sunday-school.  There  are  many  new-comers 
and  goers,  and  the  number  increases  to  fifty  or  sixty.  A 
tract  is  given  to  each  of  those  who  can  read ;  and  the  chil 
dren  read  portions  of  Scripture,  repeat  the  commandments, 
and  answer  questions.  We  sing  many  hymns,  and  I  talk  to 
them,  and  tell  stones  which  illustrate  Divine  truth.  In  this 
way  two  hours  are  spent,  when  we  are  obliged  to  send  them 
away,  for  we  are  tired,  if  they  are  not !  In  the  evening  nine 
persons  come  to  a  service  in  Turkish,  and  thus  ends  the  day. 
I  make  my  couch  on  the  hard  floor,  with  plenty  of  small, 
sharp  tormenters  to  keep  me  company  ;  but  the  school  children 
come  before  dawn,  and  take  possession  of  the  room. 


354  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


THE  RIDE   TO  A   GREEK  VILLAGE. 

'  After  breakfast,  which  is  quickly  dispatched,  we  ride  to  the 
silver  mines  of  Geumish,  four  or  five  miles  south-west  of 
Hajikeuy.  The  road  lies  over  a  pleasant  plain,  surrounded  by 
mountains. 

We  stop  at  the  Greek  village,  of  two  hundred  houses,  and 
visit  its  church,  which  contains  many  specimens  of  curious 
carving  and  the  usual  quantity  of  pictures,  among  which  a  repre 
sentation  of  the  Angel  of  Death,  and  the  Last  Judgment,  are 
very  prominent. 

In  the  school  near  by,  we  find  a  hundred  boys  reading 
ancient  Greek,  and  it  is  interesting  to  see  some  of  them 
poring  over Xenophon  and  Homer!  We  are  treated  with 
great  courtesy,  and  invited  to  a  Greek  house,  the  master  of 
which  is  the  head-man  of  the  silver-works. 

Here  wre  are  offered  rakee,  and  sweetmeats  and  coffee  are 
served.  When  the  men  leave  the  room,  the  women  come  in 
for  a  chat  with  me ;  one  of  them  has  been  at  the  missionary 
house  in  Marsovan,  and  she  urges  me  to  stay.  Wre  mount  our 
horses  to  ride  over  to  the  works,  in  the  town,  which  contains 
three  or  four  thousand  Turkish  houses.  As  we  pass  through 
the  village,  on  our  way,  it  is  amusing  to  see  the  queerly- 
dressed  Greek  children,  scampering,  with  their  dogs,  over 
the  roofs  of  the  houses,  which  are  built  half  underground. 
The  women  come  out,  and  stand  in  the  narrow  doorways,  to 
look  at  us ;  they  present  a  neat  and  somewhat  picturesque  ap 
pearance  in  their  quaint  attire.  After  we  have  watched  the 
smelting  process,  and  procured  a  few  specimens  of  the  ore, 
we  return  to  the  house,  to  partake  of  the  good  dinner  very 
kindly  prepared  for  us ;  and  when  it  is  over,  Mr.  Dodd  has 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  355 


an  opportunity  to  read  and  preach  to  a  company  of  Turkish 
women  who  have  come  in,  full  of  curiosity  about  me. 

On  out  return,  we  have  the  company  of  a  young  Armenian, 
who  affects  the  Turkish  dandy.  He  is  gaily  mounted  on  a 
fine  horse,  carrying  a  gun  over  his  shoulder,  and  two  pistols 
and  a  dagger  in  his  richly  ornamented  belt,  which  has  many 
elaborate  "  fixings  "  dangling  at  the  side.  His  showy  htad- 
dress  is  covered  with  cords  and  tassels  of  black  silk,  resem 
bling  braids  of  hair,  a  part  of  which  fall  over  the  neck  and 
shoulders.  His  light  cloth  jacket,  with  its  slashed  sleeves, 
is  profusely  covered  with  embroidery,  in  gold  and  silver, 
mingled  with  colored  silk ;  he  wears  loose  white  trousers, 
and  embroidered  leggins,  tightly  laced,  reaching  to  the 
knee.  Dashing  his  spurs  into  his  horse,  he  starts  off  at 
full  speed,  flourishing  his  gun,  which  flashes  in  the  sun 
light,  and  altogether,  forming  a  striking  contrast  to  the 
poor  little  deacon  who  is  seated  upon  a  broad  pack- 
saddle,  with  rope  stirrups,  and  a  coarse,  ragged  sheep 
skin  thrown  over  the  back  of  his  angular  old  nag,  whose 
spirit  has  been  roused  by  his  dashing  neighbor,  and 
now  follows,  full  tilt,  after  him  !  Our  horses  catch  the 
inspiration,  and  away  we  all  go  ;  a  sort  of  John  Gilpin  ride 
to  the  bewildered  deacon,  who  holds  on  to  his  one-sided 
rope-bridle,  with  all  his  might,  and  breathlessly  begs  the 
rest  of  us  to  slacken  our  speed  !  But  this  is  not  easily  ac 
complished,  and  he  cuts  such  a  ridiculous  figure  as  his 
bagging  blue  trousers  fill  with  air,  and  float  out  on  the 
breeze,  while  his  elbows  bob  up  and  down,  describing  most 
awkward  angles,  as  he  unwillingly  joins  in  the  race,  that  we 
cannot  suppress  our  mirth.  We  make  the  remainder  of  the 
trip  in  twenty-five  minutes ;  and  after  our  horses  are  rested, 


356  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


return  to  Marsovan,  at   a  somewhat  slower    speed,  though 
accomplishing  the  usual  four  hours'  ride  in  two. 

VIZIER  KUPRI. 

It  is  a  cold  December  morning,  and  the  snow  lies  thickly 
upon  the  ground,  but  the  horses,  which  were  previously  en 
gaged,  are  brought  to  the  court-yard,  and  soon  after 
eight  o'clock,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leonard  and  myself  are  on  our 
way  to  Vizier  Kupri,  a  town  of  considerable  size,  and  an 
"  out-station  "  of  Marsovan,  one  day's  journey  distant.  Our 
road  lies  over  the  mountains,  where  the  snow  is  eight 
or  ten  inches  in  depth,  and  through  dense  forests,  whose 
stillness  is  broken  by  the  pleasant  sound  of  the  woodman's 
axe.  It  is  very  slippery  descending  the  mountains,  and 
we  walk  a  part  of  the  way.  After  four  or  five  hours  of 
travel,  we  stop  to  rest  at  a  little  Greek  village,  and  eat  our 
luncheon  beside  the  rude  fireplace,  where  a  few  sticks  are 
burning,  in  the  house  which  we  are  permitted  to  enter.  A 
number  of  Greeks,  mostly  young  men,  are  going  about  the 
streets  with  their  knitting-work  in  hand,  and  some  of  them 
pay  us  a  visit,  making  the  needles  fly,  while  they  discourse  in 
Turkish  with  the  "  Badveli."  We  have  never  before  seen  the 
odd  spectacle  of  men  knitting  their  own  hose,  and  wonder 
whether  the  custom  is  due  to  the  sensible  wives  and  mothers 
who  have  learned  that  "  Satan  finds  some  mischief  still  for 
idle  hands  to  do  ?  " 

We  reach  the  town  of  Vizier  Kupri  as  the  muezzin  is 
calling  the  faithful  to  evening  prayers ;  ride  through  the 
dark,  narrow  streets  in  the  dreary  chill  of  coming  night, 
and  are  soon  at  the  house  of  the  only  Protestant,  openly 
known  as  such  in  the  place.  A  hearty  welcome  awaits  us, 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  357 

and  we  are  conducted  to  an  upper  room,  just  vacated  by 
the  "  helper  "  stationed  here.  The  weather  is  growing  ex 
tremely  cold,  and  we  are  very  glad  to  have  the  little  sheet- 
iron  stove,  brought'by  the  "  Badveli,"  put  up  for  us,  instead  of 
depending  for  warmth  upon  the  brazier  of  coals  provided  by 
the  family.  We  expect  to  spend  a  fortnight,  in  missionary 
work,  and  have  accordingly  brought  the  essentials  in  food  and 
bedding.  When  we  are  a  little  settled,  the  family  gather  in 
our  room  for  a  visit.  There  are,  our  host  and  his  wife,  six 
children,  and  a  widowed  sister,  besides  a  bedridden  grand 
mother,  who  stays  in  the  stable  below,  for  warmth,  they  say. 
Our  beds  are  spread  upon  the  floor  (Mr.  Leonard  and  Sarkis 
camping  down  in  the  outer  room,  which  is  far  from  com 
fortable.)  We  are  very  weary,  and  sleep  till  a  late  hour  in 
the  morning.  But  we  cannot  get  a  glimpse  of  the  sky 
through  the  oiled  paper  of  our  windows,  and  feel  as  if  im 
prisoned  !  It  is  Saturday,  and  before  our  preparations  for 
housekeeping  are  completed,  the  women  begin  to  pour  in 
upon  us.  There  is  a  perpetual  stream  of  comers  and  goers 
during  the  entire  day.  Sunday  morning,  before  light,  we 
hear  the  children  singing,  in  bed,  in  the  room  beneath,  "  I'll 
awake  at  dawn  of  the  Sabbath  morn  ;  "  and  occasionally  the 
father's  voice  joins  in  the  strain.  Public  service  is  held  at 
ten  o'clock,  in  the  outer  room,  where  the  missionary  converses 
with  the  men  who  call  upon  him  ;  there  are  perhaps  thirty 
in  attendance ;  after  it  is  over,  a  number  of  women  come 
into  our  room,  and  we  read  and  talk,  for  an  hour  or  two,  of 
the  things  concerning  their  peace  and  happiness.  They 
say,  "  We  are  beasts  !  We  were  born  to?  soon  !  If  we  had 
come  into  the  world  later,  we  might  have  done  as  you  do." 
This  is  the  first  missionary  visit  of  one  of  their  own  sex. 


THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


Night  again  finds  us  glad  to  rest,  and  glad  for  the  work  that 
has  made  us  weary  !  Mr.  Leonard  has  succeeded  in  finding 
a  piece  of  glass,  in  one  of  the  shops,  not  much  larger  than 
the  palm  of  his  hand  ;  but  when  it  is  inserted  in  one  of  these 
paper  window-panes,  the  transformation  in  our  room  at  day 
dawn  is  really  wonderful.  We  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  blue 
sky,  we  see  the  blessed  sunshine,  and  are  no  more  like  caged 
birds,  pining  for  freedom  ! 

A  SPECIMEN  OF  TURKISH  POLYGAMY. 

The  father,  mother,  and  two  wives  of  one  of  the  Turkish 
soldiers  still  in  prison  at  Amasia,  have  come  to  entreat  that 
he  may  be  pardoned  and  released.  "  Thereby  hangs  a 
tale  :  " 

One  day,  last  summer,  as  several  of  our  party  were 
riding  in  the  outskirts  of  Marsovan,  and  I  was  at  a  little 
distance  from  the  others,  a  heavily  armed  cavass  suddenly 
sprang  from  a  side  path,  and  seized  my  horse  by  the  bridle  ; 
Avhen  I  cried  out,  in  Armenian,  another  one  came  up  and 
seized  the  other  side,  looking  sternly  at  me.  The  next  mo 
ment,  Mr.  Dodd,  hearing  voices,  but  not  understanding 
Armenian,  looked  around,  and  instantly  rode  towards  them 
with  his  whip  uplifted,  whereupon  they  left  my  horse  and 
seized  his,  one  of  them  drawing  his  dagger  ;  then  they  left 
him,  and  attacked  Mr.  Leonard,  who  had  speedily  come  up  in 
the  rear.  The  three  ladies  of  the  party  quickly  sped  away 
to  a  place  of  safety  ;  help  was  summoned  from  town,  and  after 
a  little  skirmish,  in  which  the  drunken  cavasses  several  times 
tried  to  discharge  their  pistols  (which,  fortunately,  had  be 
come  wet,  by  their  tumbling  into  a  stream  of  water),  and 
missed  fire.  They  were  secured,  sent  to  Amasia  for  trial, 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  359 


and  there  imprisoned ;  where,  by  order  of  the  authorities  in 
Constantinople,  they  have  remained  till  the  present  time. 

It  appears  that  the  home  of  one  of  them  is  in  this  town. 
The  special  pleading  of  his  parents  and  wives  is  truly  Oriental. 
They  humble  themselves  at  the  feet  of  the  missionary  in  a 
way  which  is  degrading  and  almost  disgusting,  repeatedly 
kissing  the  hem  of  his  old  study-gown,  and  they  would  even 
kiss  his  boots,  if  he  would  allow  them  to  do  so  !  One  of 
the  wives  is  young  and  rather  pretty ;  she  has  two  children  ; 
the  other  is  much  older,  utterly  devoid  of  beauty,  and  child 
less.  I  fancy  that  she  is  the  drudge  of  the  family.  When 
Mr.  Leonard  makes  out  the  paper  they  so  much  desire,  their 
gratitude  is  unbounded,  and  they  faithfully  promise,  for  the 
offender,  total  abstinence  from  intoxicating  drinks  hence 
forth  forever  !  The  common  Turk  does  not  usually  have 
more  than  one  wife.  A  plurality  of  wives  is  a  luxury  in 
which  only  the  wealthy  can  indulge,  and  the  poor  man  must 
content  himself  with  but  one  ; — unless,  indeed,  he  can  man 
age  to  make  them  support  him  and  his  establishment — a 
thing  not  unknown  in  more  civilized  lands,  where  there  is 
but  one  wife  to  bear  the  burden  ! 

SOWING    THE   SEED. 

During  our  stay  we  visit  a  number  of  houses,  and  every 
where  there  is  abundant  opportunity  to  sow  the  good  seed. 
To  the  older  women,  who  cling  tenaciously  to  the  mean 
ingless  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Old  Church,  we  present 
Christ  as  our  Sacrifice,  and  ever-living  High  Priest.  To  the 
younger  women,  more  especially,  make  known  the  tender, 
compassionate  Burden-bearer,  the  sorrowing,  sympathizing 
Savior.  They  gather  around  us  in  groups  of  eight  or  ten 


300  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


at  each  place  ;  and  at  one  house  when  I  commence  reading, 
in  Armenian,  the  story  of  Nicodemus,  a  young  woman  ex 
claims,  u  My  man  read  that  last  evening!  He  reads  every 
evening,  before  he  goes  to  bed,  in  one  of  your  Bibles!" 
This  leads  us  to  give  her  a  tract  on  "  Growth  in  Sin,"  and 
one  entitled  "  Light  of  the  Soul  "  to  another  woman,  who 
says  that  her  husband  and  two  brothers  are  readers.  We 
also  give  a  number  of  tracts  to  boys  who  can  read,  and  per 
suade  the  mothers  to  send  their  little  daughters  to  school. 

After  some  of  these  visits,  we  extend  our  walk  beyond  the 
town,  and  mark  the  traces  of  ancient  history  in  broken  col 
umns,  scattered  stones,  and  ruined  walls;  presently  we  come 
to  the  bed  of  what  was  once  a  river  of  no  mean  size  ;  and 
on  our  way  back  notice,  here  and  there,  slabs,  covered  with 
partly  defaced  Greek  inscriptions,  built  into  the  wall  of  some 
miserable  old  dwelling. 

Our  compassion  is  excited  for  the  aged  mother  of  our 
host,  who  is  stowed  away  in  the  stable  by  her  daughter-in- 
law  ;  she  says,  in  extenuation,  that  really  the  place  is  much 
warmer ;  and,  besides,  the  old  woman  curses  and  swears  so 
fearfully  and  is  so  filthy,  that  she  wants  her  out  of  the  way 
for  the  sake  of  her  children.  I  beg  permission  to  go  in  and 
see  the  aged  invalid  ;  and  finally,  one  of  the  boys  is  sent 
with  me,  bearing  a  torch.  As  we  approach  the  dark  corner, 
he  calls  out,  "  Granny,  here's  a  lady  come  to  see  you  !"  But 
we  hear  no  voice  in  reply ;  he  calls  again,  louder  than  be 
fore,  and  still  no  sound  ;  awe-struck,  I  whisper,  "  She  is 
dead  !  she  has  died  here  in  this  dark  hole,  all  alone  !"  when 
there  is  a  slight  stir,  a  wavering  movement  of  the  miserable 
heap,  and  the  indistinct  mumblings  of  imbecile  old  age  come 
up  to  us  in  a  far-away,  sepulchral  voice.  I  take  the  torch 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  361 


from  the  boy's  hand,  and  let  the  light  fall  upon  the  face.  It 
is  deadly  white,  the  features  sharp  and  \  inched,  and  the 
eyes,  unnaturally  large,  are  glaring  from  their  sunken  sock 
ets,  like  some  starved  wolf  held  at  bay  in  its  den.  A 
sad,  sad  sight !  It  would  not  sound  strangely  if  she 
should  exclaim,  as  did  a  childless  Armenian  mother  the 
other  day — "  God  has  forgotten  me  /"  But,  possibly,  she  is 
too  far  gone  to  feel.  I  touch  the  cold,  shriveled  hands  and 
feet;  send  the  lad  for  a  fresh  dish  of  hot  ashes  to  place 
beside  them,  and  with  an  unuttered  prayer  for  help,  make 
the  almost  hopeless  attempt  to  awaken  a  spark  of  life  in  her 
shrouded  soul,  and  lift  the  dimmed  eyes  heavenward.  Thank 
God  !  there  is  a  response,  though  very  feeble,  as  the  precious 
words  of  Christ  are  repeated  close  to  her  dulled  ear.  And 
I  gather  courage  to  point  the  dying  woman  to  Him  who  was 
wounded  for  our  transgressions ;  by  whose  death  alone  we 
receive  the  gift  of  eternal  life.  It  is  her  eleventh  hour,  and 
the  flickering  flame  seems  ready  to  expire  ;  but  one  look 
directed  to  the  cross,  in  faith,  will  as  surely  bring  salvation 
now,  as  when  the  dying  thief  hung  by  the  crucified  Redeem 
er  !  I  cannot  leave  this  sister-woman  in  her  dismal  dun 
geon  without  a  prayer  by  her  bedside ;  and  when  I  rise  from 
my  knees,  she  mutters  something  which  sounds  like  thanks. 
The  boy  says,  "  Granny  is  crying  !" — as  we  leave  the  place, 
and  it  gives  me  an  opportunity  to  beg  him  to  be  kind  to 
her.  When  our  fortnight  is  ended,  and  we  are  about  to 
leave  Vizier  Kupri — with  the  humble  hope  that  some  souls 
have  been  led  to  see  their  need  of  Christ,  and  that  others  are 
"  walking  in  the  truth  " — we  make  one  more  faithful  appeal 
to  our  host  and  his  wife  in  behalf  of  one  whom  every  natu 
ral  instinct  should  teach  them  to  love  and  cherish ;  ending 
16 


362  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


our  argument  with  the  counsel  to  put  themselves  in  hex 
place,  in  anticipation  of  the  time  when,  perhaps,  their  own 
children  shall  copy  their  example.  They  are  pleasant,  kind- 
looking  people,  and  seem  not  to  imagine  that  there  is  any 
cruelty  in  their  conduct. 

UP  HE  A  VALS. 

11  For  the  divisions  of  Reuben  there  were  great  thoughts 
of  heart :  Why  abodest  thou  among  the  sheep-folds  to  hear 
the  bleatings  of  the  flock?"  sang  Deborah,  the  "  Mother  in 
Israel,"  and  the  deliverer  of  her  people.  And  to  the  Corinth 
ians,  Paul  wrote,  "It  hath  been  declared  unto  me  of  you, 
my  brethren,  by  them  which  are  of  the  house  of  Chloe,  that 
there  are  contentions  among  you."  So  now,  this  Protestant 
community,  and  infant  church  of  Christ  in  Pontiis,  is  passing 
through  the  transition  state,  incidental,  if  not  inevitable,  to 
every  mission.  A  peculiar  combination  of  circumstances  has 
finally  culminated  in  an  outbreak,  which  will,  we  believe, 
prove  a  purifying  process,  and  ensure  a  more  permanent 
state  of  health  and  peace  hereafter. 

For  some  years  before  its  present  occupation,  the  Station 
had  been  left  to  itself,  with  only  temporary  supplies,  and  an 
occasional  visit  from  a  missionary.  No  faithful  shepherd 
could  be  found  to  stay  and  watch  over  the  flock,  "  rightly 
dividing  the  word  of  truth."  Three  years  ago,  the  "  candle 
stick  "  was  almost  "removed  out  of  its  place."  The  people 
had  "  heaped  to  themselves  teachers ;  having  itching  ears  /' — • 
(well  illustrated  by  their  comments  on  a  plain  Gospel  ser 
mon  from  "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?"-  •"  We  don't  want 
such  preaching;  everybody  knows  that !  Give  us  something 
that  we  don't  understand!  preach  to  us  about  the  'living 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  363 


creatures  and  wheels  '  of  Ezekial ;  the  *  roll  '  that  the  prophet 
ate,  and  the  visions  that  he  saw  : — Tell  us  about  the  '  can 
dlesticks,'  the  '  seals,'  and  *  vials,'  and  '  plagues  '  of  Revela 
tion  ;  and  the  *  woman,  clothed  with  the  sun,  the  moon 
under  her  feet,  and  the  twelve  stars  on  her  head.'  THAT'S 

THE    KIND    OF    PREACHING    THAT    WE    WANT  !")       And    there 

were  roots  of  bitterness  left  in  the  church ;  a  "  Diotre- 
phes,"  a  "  Demas,"  and  an  "  Alexander  the  coppersmith,"  ever 
ready  to  serve  Mammon  instead  of  Christ.  On  the  arrival  of 
the  Missionary  who  settled  among  them,  these  men  and  others 
waited  upon  him  to  inquire  what  business  he  would  recom 
mend  (or  furnish)  to  them.  His  quiet,  yet  decisive  refusal 
to  "  know  anything  among  them  save  Jesus  Christ  and  Him 
crucified,"  did  not  conciliate  their  favor :  And  his  persis 
tent  and  uncompromising  adherence  to  fae  principle  of  aim 
ing  at  self-support,  in  the  salaries  given  to  "  helpers,"  only 
served  to  increase  their  discontent.  It  was  nearly  two 
years  before  he  could  secure  a  preacher  in  Armenian,  and 
during  that  period,  conducted  all  the  services  himself,  in 
Turkish,  which  was  not  so  well  relished  or  understood  by  all 
the  people.*  The  preacher  who  was  finally  obtained  remained 
but  a  few  months,  being  seized  with  the  medicine-mania,  a 
prevailing  epidemic  among  many  of  the  young  men  ;  flatter- 


*  This  may  seem  strange  to  those  who  estimate  the  value  and  use 
fulness  of  a  foreign  missionary  by  the  number  of  languages  he  has 
acquired.  As  a  rule,  however,  the  most  faithful  and  successful  labor 
ers  in  WINNING  SOULS,  and  TRAINING  THEM  FOR  THE  MASTER'S  SERVICE, 
have  but  one  missionary  language  :  — unless  called  to  purely  literary 
work  in  the  translation  of  the  Word  of  God,  etc.,  as  for  instance,  Drs. 
Riggs  and  Schauffler  of  Constantinople,  who  are  "  BORN  LINGUISTS," 
and  speak  and  write  with  more  or  less  ease,  fifteen  or  eighteen  lan 
guages.  But  this  does  not  raise  them  a  whit  above  their  brethren 


364  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


ing  himself  that  when  once  a  practicing  physician,  he  could 
and  would  preach  the  Gospel  to  his  people  freely  and  with 
out  charge.  When  he  left,  a  still  younger  man  was  sent  from 
the  Capital  to  be  both  preacher  and  teacher.  He  had  many 
high  notions,  and  little  idea  of  self-denial,  or  obligation  for 
his  support  and  education,  for  the  term  of  nine  years. 
Claiming,  in  fact,  that  such  a  sacrifice  of  time,  on  his  part, 
was  an  imperative  reason  for  expecting  much  more  from  the 
missionaries.  Indeed,  "  why  should  not  he,  who  considered 
himself  in  every  respect  their  equal  (if  not  superior),  live  as 
comfortably  as  they?" 

The  renegade  helper  dismissed  from  Amasia  had  settled 
himself  in  the  place,  with  malice  prepense  to  work  against 
the  missionaries ;  and  joined  heart  and  hand  in  "  sowing  dis 
cord  among  the  brethren."  They  devised  various  ways  of 
stirring  up  and  keeping  alive  the  growing  dissension.  Looking 
over  the  list  of  contributions  in  the  "  Missionary  Herald," 
they  estimated  the  probable  amount  apportioned  for  their 
people,  comparing  it  with  the  actual  expenditure  by  the 
Missionary  for  Gospel-work,  and  the  expense  of  his  own 
maintenance;  thus  increasing  their  ground  of  complaint,  as 
they  supposed,  very  much  after  the  manner  of  a  Protestant 
washerwoman  in  Constantinople,  who  once  said  to  some  of 

who  arc  equally  devoted  and  zealous  in  other  departments  of  the  ONE 
GREAT  WORK  !  The  missionary  whose  main  business  it  is  to  preach  the 
Word, — "  in  season  and  out  of  season," — may  '  pick  up  "  the  colloquial 
of  one  or  two  commonly  spoken  tongues,  sufficiently  for  all  ordinary 
purposes;  but  no  man  whose  heart  burns  with  love  and  zeal  for  the 
Kingdom  of  Christ,  can  turn  aside  for  the  mere  study  of  languages,  the 
time  and  strength  which  should  be  given  to  the  thousands  around 
him  who  are  perishing  for  the  Bread  of  Life  !  A  false  estimate  of  his 
ability,  and  a  refined  selfishness,  may  lead  a  young  missionary  astray  in 
this  matter,  to  his  own  great  loss,  and  that  of  the  work. 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  365 

my  pupils,  "  Let  us  ship  all  these  Missionaries  to  America, 
and  use  the  money  collected  for  us, — which  they  spend 
upon  themselves, — in  doing  something  for  our  people !" 
An  experiment,  by  the  way,  which  would  undoubtedly 
result  as  it  did  in  a  place  in  another  field,  where  the 
people  were  suffering  from  famine,  and  the  Protestant 
pastor's  appeal,  published  in  Constantinople,  produced 
an  abundant  response  in  money,  clothing,  etc.,  a  part  of 
which  the  "  Committee  of  Brethren  "  loaned  to  the  people, 
on  certain  conditions,  they,  meanwhile,  speculating  upon 
the  principal  (intending,  eventually,  to  purchase  land,  and 
thus  secure  a  permanent  "  poor  fund,"),  until  they  worked 
themselves  into  a  great  state  of  bewilderment  and  confu 
sion  of  ideas,  ending  in  a  general  break-up  ! 

The  grown-up  son  of  the  aforesaid  woman  so  far  profited 
by  his  mother's  wise  teachings,  as  to  walk,  one  day,  into  the 
house  of  a  Bible-agent  (mistaking  his  bearings),  and  say, — 
after  gazing  at  the  surroundings  awhile,  "All  this  is  ours ; 
for  it  was  bought  with  the  money  of  the  American  Board  !" 
This  seems,  as  it  is,  very  childish  ;  and  we  have  constantly 
to  keep  in  mind  that  the  mass  of  this  people  are  but  grown 
up  children.  For  centuries  they  have  been  ground  down  under 
the  iron  heel  of  the  oppressor,  and  it  is  not  strange  if  they 
often  mistake  LIBERTY  for  LICENSE,  and  assume  as  a  right 
what  was  granted  as  a  favor.*  It  is  well  for  us,  some- 


*  Alas  for  unsanctified  human  nature!  One  of  my  own  pupils 
(who  was  also  for  a  time  an  assistant  teacher  in  the  Train  ing-School 
at  Hasskeuy),  writes  to  Markared,  in  a  bitter  and  complaining  spirit  ; 
she  says  :  "  We  should  have  been  taught  the  piano  and  French  in  the 
school  !  — It  was  our  right  T  She  was  a  good  scholar,  but  proud,  am 
bitious,  and  worldly  in  her  spirit  and  aims  :  a  very  different  character 


366  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


times,  to  look  at  things  with  their  eyes.  The  influx  of  new  mis 
sionaries  for  the  two  Training-Schools,  before  their  work  is 
quite  ready  for  them,  or  they  for  it,  and  no  tangible  results 
can  be  seen,  has  doubtless  had  its  effect  upon  some  already 
discontented  souls.  After  much  search  for  a  house  of  suitable 
size  to  accommodate  the  Girls'  School,  and  a  missionary 
family,  an  old  Turkish  konak  was  leased  for  a  term  of  years. 
It  is  a  wretched  affair  of  a  building,  we  think,  with  a  great 
stable  under  the  living-rooms,  not  more  than  two  of  which 
receive  a  ray  of  sunshine  to  dispel  the  musty  smell  and  the 
sickening  perfumes  which  come  from  below.  But  to  the 
people,  it  looks  very  grand :  "  And  here  are  so  many  more," 


from  the  gentle  Eva,  who,  on  my  return  from  America,  had  to  be  re 
proved  once  or  twice,  and  said,  with  tearful  eyes,  and  warm  heart, 
"  The  more  you  rebuke  me,  the  better  I  love  you  /  " 

When  in  England,  seeking  restoration  to  health,  before  venturing 
upon  the  excitement  and  nervous  strain  of  life  in  the  United  States,  I 
took  lodgings  for  a  few  weeks  in  a  pleasant  village  of  Yorkshire  :  And 

while  there  heard  much  of  the  charities  of  Lady  D e,  from  the  people 

who  were  her  tenants.  Lord  D.  was  widely  known  as  the  "  Christian  No 
bleman;"  and  after  his  death,  Lady  D.  built  the  beautiful  church  which 
they  had  planned;  and  two  hospitals,  or  "Homes"  foraged  and  disabled 
men  and  women.  She  also  caused  all  the  IIDIS  where  1  iquor  was  sold  to 
be  closed;  repaired  and  improved  the  cottages,  adding  bay-windows, 
and  enlarging  and  beautifying  the  yards,  enclosing  them  with  rustic  or 
iron  palings  (whichever  the  tenant  preferred).  A  cow  and  a  pig  was 
given  to  every  peasant  who  did  not  own  one,  and  a  row  of  stables 
were  built  for  their  accommodation.  Besides  all  this,  Lady  D.  went 
in  person  to  visit  the  sick,  and  sent  or  carried  port  wine,  or  any  deli 
cacy  they  might  need  ;  and  she  once  made  the  journey  to  London  with  a 
little  blind  boy,  paying  ^100  for  the  removal  of  cataracts  from  his 
eyes,  restoring  the  sight.  Another  lad,  the  son  of  a  journeyman  tan 
ner,  showing  a  taste  for  music,  she  placed  him  under  the  best  masters 
iu  London,  and  afterward  made  him  the  oiganist  in  the  village  church. 
Many  of  the  young  girls  were  received  into  her  own  household  and 
trained  in  domestic  work.  One  of  these  girls,  who  was  greatly  be- 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  367 

they  think,  "  to  be  supported  out  of  the  money  given  by  the 
American  churches!"* 

Finally,  the  ownership  of  the  chapel,  towards  which  the 
people  originally  contributed  a  tenth  or  twelfth,  is  made  a 
pretext  for  open  dissension.  But  the  real  point  at  issue  is 
the  control  of  the  pulpit.  At  one  of  the  many  meetings 
called  by  the  Protestants  to  settle  this  vexed  question,  the 
missionary  who  had,  like  Paul,  "  for  the  space  of  three  years, 
ceased  not  to  warn  every  one,  day  and  night,"  spoke  to  the 
brethren  of  their  ingratitude ;  when  one  of  the  "  baser  sort  " 
sprang  up  and  said,  "  You  shouldn't  complain  '•  We  treat 
you  missionaries  better  than  they  are  treated  in  some  places !" 


loved  by  all,  unfortunately  fell  into  a  trap-door  in  the  cellar  and  was 
drowned,  her  body  not  being  discovered  for  several  days  :  This  gave  the 
family  a  great  shock,  and  the  entire  household  went  into  mourning  for 
two  weeks  :  (All  this  was  done  without  any  sounding  of  trumpets  ;  and 
English  friends  in  London  listened  with  the  deepest  interest  to  my 
story  of  one  who,  like  the  Queen,  was  a  "  mother  to  her  people.") 
But,  are  the  people  grateful  for  all  this  unwearied  kindness  and  gen 
erosity?"  I  inquired, — my  mind  and  heart  full  of  the  great  problems 
of  human  nature  in  its  various  phases. 

"No!  We  have  long  since  ceased  to  look  for  gratitude  /"  was  the 
chastened  reply.  How  much  more  grateful  would  they  have  been 
(when  the  blessings  of  a  true  independence  and  self-help  should  have 
gathered  around  them)  for  the  disinterested  benevolence  which,  as 
parents  for  their  short-sighted  children,  heeded  not  their  crying  and 
fretting,  but  put  them  upon  their  own  feet,  and  taught  them  how  to 
care  for  themselves,  in  viewof  coming  manhood,  and  its  responsibilities! 

*  "  The  old  idea  is  not  dead  yet,  that  to  be  a  missionary  is  to  enter 
upon  an  ease-taking,  money-making  work.  The  highest  salary  that 
is  paid  any  American  Missionary  is  §1,500,  without  a  house,  paid  by 
the  Presbyterian  Board  in  Western  Asia.  From  $600  to  $  1,000,  ac 
cording  to  the  relative  expensiveness  of  living,  is  about  the  average  for  a 
married  missionary.  Unmarried  missionaries  receive  from  $300  to 
$600,  and  as  to  '  ease-taking,'  just  let  any  complainer  try  the  work." — 
Christian  Weekly. 


368  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

"How  is  that?"  he  inquired.  "Why,  they  KILL  them  !  " 
said  the  man,  very  impressively.  "  Yes;  and  cat  them  too!" 
said  the  missionary,  with  a  smile.  This  made  the  others 
ashamed,  and  they  rebuked  the  forward  brother,  telling  him 
to  hold  his  peace  hereafter. 

It  is  a  time  of  trial  and  rebuke ;  a  time  when  the  servants 
of  Christ  need  the  support  and  sympathy  of  Christians 
at  home !  But  surely,  the  Master  is  with  them,  or  they 
could  not  maintain  that  quiet  dignity,  that  firm,  yet  gentle 
poise  which  will  admit  of  no  compromise  for  the  sake  of  ex 
pediency.  They  will  not  plaster  over  the  old  sore,  "  heal 
ing  slightly  the  hurt  of  the  daughter  of  my  people,  say 
ing,  Peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace."  It  is  a  time  for 
the  exercise  of  faith  and  patience;  unceasing  prayer  and 
watchfulness. 

But,  "  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good  to 
them  that  love  God ;  "  and  the  end  justifies  our  most  ardent 
hopes  and  desires. 

When  the  disaffected  ones  see  that  nothing  can  be  gained, 
they  give  the  signal,  u  To  your  tents,  O  Israel !  "  and  the 
secession  of  a  minority,  headed  by  the  ambitious  preacher, 
is  the  temporary  result.  But  his  reign  is  soon  over,  and  the 
stray  sheep  return  to  the  fold,  considerably  humbled  by 
their  late  experience,  and  much  more  teachable  than  before. 

This  "  shady  side  of  the  picture,"  which  we  missionaries 
are  accused  of  never  showing  to  the  world,  has  been  looked 
upon  by  our  good  Kohar,  and  other  true,  loving  souls,  with 
silent  amazement.  It  has  not  once  shaken  their  faith  in 
God,  or  in  His  servants,  but  it  has  taught  them  that  if 
Satan,  the  great  "  Accuser  of  the  brethren,"  cannot  prevent 
the  building  of  Christ's  church,  he  will  subtily  seek  to  un- 


REGIONS   BEYOND.  369 

dermine  its  walls,  by  working  within  it ;  for,  as  the  Apostle 
Paul  says,  "  Satan  himself  is  transformed  into  an  angel  of 
light  :  Therefore,  it  is  no  great  thing  if  his  ministers  also  be 
transformed  as  the  ministers  of  righteousness ;  whose  end 
shall  be  according  to  their  works." 

It  is  the  "  mystery  of  iniquity,"  known,  and  deplored,  in 
every  church,  and  every  land  where  the  "  wheat  and  the 
tares  grow  together  until  the  harvest."  To  His  faithful 
servants,  the  Master  says,  "  Remember  the  word  that  I  said 
unto  you,  the  servant  is  not  greater  than  his  lord  : — I  have 
given  you  an  example  that  ye  should  do  as  I  have  done  to 
you : — For  even  hereunto  were  ye  called  !  " 

Henceforth,  this  church,  more  firmly  grounded  in  the  faith, 
pursues  an  onward  and  upward  course,  well  meriting  the 
encomium  bestowed  by  one  of  the  missionary  fathers,  who 
tarried  by  the  way,  after  a  survey  of  the  land,  some  months 
ago,  before  the  Station  was  reinforced,  and  pronounced  it 
"  the  best  trained  church  and  congregation  he  had  seen  in  all 
that  region  ;  "  and  the  Sunday-School  "  a  very  Garden  of  the 
Lord !  " 


16* 


CHAPTER    X. 

HARPOOT. 

T  was  the  first  day  of  the  New  Year,  when  we 
at  Marsovan  received  tidings  of  a  breach 
made  in  the  far-away  camp  upon  the  shores 
of  the  Euphrates,  by  the  loss  of  the  teacher  in  their  Train- 
ing-School  for  girls  ;  and  the  Macedonian  cry,  "  Come  over 
and  help  us !  "  rang  in  our  ears.  After  much  consultation 
among  ourselves  and  with  the  senior  missionaries  at  Con 
stantinople,  it  was  finally  decided  to  defer  the  opening  of 
the  school  here,  for  a  season,  that  Miss  Fritcher  and  I 
might  go  together,  and  "  stand  in  the  gap,"  till  some  one 
should  be  sent  from  America  to  fill  the  vacant  place.  But  the 
winter  was  very  severe.  Some  of  our  occasional  rides  for  air 
and  exercise  were  taken  when  the  mercury  was  ten  degrees 
below  zero ;  and  it  happened,  now  and  then,  that  a  few  of  the 
poorer  children  belonging  to  our  Infant  Sunday-School 
would  present  themselves  at  the  dining-room  of  the  mission 
ary  house,  where  it  was  held,  with  their  little  bare  feet 
bleeding,  from  contact  with  the  ice,  on  their  way  thither; 
and  our  first  work  would  be  to  bind  up  their  wounds,  and 
tie  on  some  old  shoes,  to  protect  them  in  going  home.  Even 
when  the  spring  opened,  we  were  doubtful  when  it  would  be 

safe  to  commence  the  journey,  owing  to  the  unusual  amount 
(370) 


IIARPOOT.  371 


of  snow  which  had  fallen  during  the  winter,  rendering  the 
roads  quite  impassable  in  many  places.  While  in  this  sus 
pense,  a  messenger  arrived  from  Siva?,  bringing  a  telegram 
from  the  missionaries  at  Harpoot,  directing  us  to  start  as 
soon  as  possible,  for  the  school  had  opened,  and  the  travel 
ing  in  that  region  was  good.  This  was  Saturday,  April  pth. 
On  Monday,  the  footman  "  girded  himself  "  for  his  jour 
ney,  and  returned  to  Sivas,  with  letters,  and  a  telegram, 
to  be  sent  to  the  friends,  informing  them  of  our  decision. 
Tuesday  was  the  day  appointed  for  parents  to  pray 
for  the  conversion  of  their  children.  An  interesting 
service  was  held  in  the  chapel,  and  after  it  was  over,  the 
women  remained  for  my  farewell  meeting.  There  were 
nearly  seventy  present,  although  a  heavy  rain  had  been  fall 
ing  all  day.* 

They  gave  marked  attention  to  my  parting  words  of 
counsel,  and  then  came,  one  by  one,  to  say,  "  Yertak  parov," — 
go  with  good, — and  as  each  received  a  special  word,  suited  to 
her  case,  her  countenance  betrayed  the  emotions  of  her 


*  It  seemed  appropriate  on  this  final  occasion,  to  present  some 
thoughts  concerning  the  Day  of  Judgment,  from  the  words,  "  For  we 
must  all  appear  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ;  that  every  one 
may  receive  the  things  done  in  his  body,  according  to  that  he  hath  done, 
whether  it  be  good  or  bad  :  Knowing  therefore  the  TERROR  of  the 
Lord,  we  persuade  men."  After  a  few  preliminary  remarks,  the  fol 
lowing  practical  and  faithful  application  was  made:  —  My  sisters, 
you  and  I  will  be  there  !  Let  us  try  to  realize  the  scene:  Suppose 
the  Books  opened — those  wonderful  ACCOUNT  BOOKS — and  your  names 
called,  one  by  one  ;  when  the  Judge  asks  you  to  render  an  account 
of  your  stewardship, — Durohi,  Takoohi,  Mariam,  what  will  you  say? 
Will  you  begin  to  excuse  yourselves  ?  Can  )rou  say,  "  I  did  not  know; 
I  was  ignorant,  and  '  no  man  cared  for  my  soul  !' " 

What  do  you  think  HE  will  say  ?  Listen  !  "  I  made  you  for  my  glory; 
I  GAVE  MY  ONLY  BEGOTTEN  AND  WELL-BELOVED  SON  TO  DIE  FOR  YOU 


3/2  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


heart.  The  aged  mother  was  there,  whom  the  brethren 
examined  for  admission  to  the  church,  last  year,  and  found 
so  ignorant  of  the  doctrines,  that  they  concluded  not  to  re 
ceive  her;  when  she  went  away,  saying  that  she  knew  she 
was  not  worthy,  but  she  "did love  Christ  f  and  was  afterwards 
accepted  upon  our  testimony.  The  kind  old  body  tottered 
up  to  me,  with  a  fervent,  "  God  bless  you  !  "  It  was  all 
she  could  say. 

We  lingered,  reluctant  to  leave  the  place  where  we  had  so 
often  gathered  around  the  Mercy-Seat,  feeling  that  we  might 
never  again  meet  in  that  sacred  spot.  At  last,  Kohar  drew 
me  aside,  and  wiping  the  tears  from  her  face,  earnestly  in 
quired,  "  Who  will  teach  the  children  of  your  little  Sunday- 
School,  when  you  are  gone  ?  "  When  I  told  her  that  Mrs. 
Leonard  would  take  charge  of  the  children, — though  she 
feared  that  they  would  not  understand  Turkish  as  well  as  Ar 
menian  ;  but  that  Markared  could  not  teach  them  because  of 
her  own  "  Mission  Sunday-School,"  at  the  other  end  of  the 
town — she  very  modestly  offered  to  assist  in  it  so  long  as  her 


I  sent  teachers  to  instruct  you  in  my  Word.  You  thought  that  I 
did  not  notice  your  life  (you  who  have  professed  better  things, 
and  lived  according  to  the  devices  of  your  own  hearts).  But  I 
saw  all  your  ways  ;  here  they  are,  written  down  !  I  saw  your  heart; 
no  true  love  to  God  was  there  ;  I  heard  you  slander  my  servants, your 
best  friends  ;  I  saw  you  go  from  house  to  house,  speaking  idle  words  ; 
I  saw  you  flatter  people  before  their  faces,  and  afterward,  heard  you 
say  everything  bad  about  them  ;  I  saw  you  in  my  House;  you  sat  there 
as  one  of  my  people,  but  you  only  worshiped  me  with  your  lips, — even 
in  my  Holy  House,  you  talked  (or  thought)  of  worldly  things,  and 
slandered !  You  served  Satan.  You  arc  his  child  !  Go,  therefore, 
and  dwell  with  /'////  /  And  all  the  assembly  of  holy  beings  will  say, 
'Amen  !'  For  Thou,  Lord,  art  holy,  and  righteous,  and  just,  and  true!" 
Then  suppose  He  should  call  up  one  of  these  mothers  : — Badaskhan 
or  Tcurfanda, — "What  has  become  of  those  children  that  I  gave  you 


HARPOOT.  373 


(still  persecuting)  husband  should  be  absent  on  his  pilgrim 
age  to  Jerusalem.  She  then  spoke  of  the  day-school  for 
girls,  supported  by  friends  in  New  York,  and  taught  by  one 
of  my  former  pupils.  "  Will  that  now  be  given  up?  O,  it 
must  not  be  !  "  she  continued,  without  waiting  for  a  reply,  "  We 
must  keep  it  going  on ;  we  sisters  in  the  church  must  get  up 
a  Society  to  support  that  school  for  little  girls,  rather  than 
have  it  given  up !  "  As  I  looked  at  her  face,  all  aglow  with 
interest,  and  feeling,  and  remembered  that  she  was  childless, 
I  felt  that  the  dear  disciple  had  been  truly  baptized  into  the 
spirit  of  Christ.  Precious  jewel !  Would  that  there  were 
more  like  her  throughout  this  land  ! 

THE  DEPARTURE. 

Saturday,  the  i6th  of  April,  was  the  day  appointed  for 
our  departure,  that  Sunday  might  be  spent  in  Amasia,  and, 
indeed,  prove  a  day  of  rest,  at  the  commencement  of  the 
long  journey.  Accordingly,  our  preparations  were  all  com 
pleted  the  previous  day,  and  in  the  evening,  the  little  mis- 


to  train  for  God  and  Heaven  ?  How  did  you  bring  them  up  ?  Did  you 
teach  them  to  honor  my  Sabbath,  and  reverence  my  sanctuary  ?  You  are 
a  member  of  my  church;  you  talked  piously,  saying,  '  Lord,  Lord,'  but 
your  life,  your  example,  your  heart  was  all  wrong!  You  knew  your 
duty,  but  you  did  it  not!"  Do  you  say.  "  God  is  merciful;  God  is 
Love."  Remember  Lot's  wife ;  remember  Sodom  and  Gomorrah ; 
remember  Ananias  and  Sapphira  !  My  dear  sisters,  we  may  never 
again  meet  on  earth.  I  wish  so  to  speak  to  you  that  the  blood  of 
souls  will  not  be  required  of  me  at  that  Day.  When  the  Judge 
says,  "I  sent  you  to  Marsovan ;  what  said  you  to  those  women? 
Where  are  the  souls  that  I  committed  to  your  instruction  ?"  I  wish 
to  feel  that  if  you  are  lost,  /  am  not  to  blame.  A  few  last  words 
of  encouragement  and  counsel  to  those  who  were  "  walking  in  the 
truth,"  and  the  meeting,  which  had  proved  a  very  solemn  one,  closed 
with  prayer.  (Such  teaching  may  seem  harsh,  but  it  was  needed  by 
some,  and  good  for  all.) 


3/4  TIIE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


sionary  circle  of  three  families  came  together  to  celebrate 
the  Lord's  Supper.  The  service  was  conducted  by  the  be 
loved  brother  who  first  brought  me  to  that  home,  where 
such  a  rich  experience  had  been  mine.  After  a  vivid  por 
traiture  of  the  farewell  gathering  of  our  blessed  Lord  with 
His  disciples,  he  turned  to  the  covenant  which  God  had 
made  with  his  people  Israel :  "  Behold,  I  send  an  Angel  be 
fore  thee,  to  keep  thee  in  the  way,  and  to  bring  thee  into  the 
place  which  I  have  prepared,"  repeated  and  intensified  by 
Christ,  in  the  words,  "  Lo,  /am  with  you  alway."  It  was 
a  precious  season  ;  not  only  strengthening  our  hearts  for  the 
toilsome  way  before  us,  but  also  knitting  more  closely  the 
bonds  which  united  us  to  one  another,  as  brothers  and 
sisters  of  the  household  of  faith,  acknowledging  but  one 
Head,  the  Great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep. 

Saturday  morning  came,  clear  and  bright ;  the  air  pure 
and  refreshing.  At  seven  o'clock,  we  were  mounted,  ready  to 
depart.  A  crowd  of  Protestant  friends  assembled  in  the  great 
court-yard  of  the  konak,  to  bid  us  "  God-speed ;  "  and 
among  them  was  our  dear  Kohar,  who  again  said,  "  How 
can  I  let  you  go  ?  I  have  yet  so  much  to  learn!  "  Quite  a 
company  of  these  friends  escorted  us  out  of  the  city,  and 
the  two  missionary  brothers  and  Mrs.  Leonard  rode  with 
us  for  an  hour  or  two  ;  then  we  parted;  saw  them  turn  their 
horses'  heads  in  the  opposite  direction,  and  paused,  till  they 
should  pass  out  of  sight ;  caught  the  last  glimpse  of  waving 
hats  and  handkerchiefs,  on  a  distant  knoll,  and  slowly  turned 
to  pursue  our  way,  feeling  much  as  if  again  leaving  our 
kindred  of  the  childhood  home,  to  go  forth  among  strangers 
in  a  strange  land  ! 

\Ve  form  quite  a  respectable  caravan.     Mr.  Dodd,  our  mis- 


HARPOOT.  375 


sionary  escort,  is  mounted  upon  his  own  steed,  with  leather 
bags,  shawl,  and  rubber  cloak  attached  to  his  saddle.  Miss 
Fritcher  looks  very  gay  upon  her  pony,  with  bright  yellow  trim 
mings  to  her  saddle-bags  fresh  from  the  saddler's,  suiting  his 
taste  far  more  than  hers.  And  I  follow,  firmly  seated  upon  a 
high,  steady  horse  belonging  to  the  muleteers,  surrounded  by 
numerous  "traps"  in  the  shape  of  cloaks,  shawls,  umbrella 
and  parasol,  a  small  satchel  fastened  to  the  horn  of  my  saddle, 
containing  sundry  little  comforts,  besides  the  inevitable  saddle 
bags,  bulging  out  on  either  side  with  plethoric  significancy.  We 
are  dressed  to  suit  the  occasion,  and  the  country,  entirely 
ignoring  the  requirements  of  the  world  we  have  left  so  far 
behind.  Our  head-gear  is  certainly  not  of  the  latest  Parisian 
style.  My  sun-bonnet  is  a  nondescript  invention  for  the 
journey, — an  immense  "  calash,"  somewhat  like  those  the  grand 
mothers  were  wont  to  wear  in  olden  times.  It  proves  exceed 
ingly  convenient  as  a  protection  from  the  sun,  and,  when  we 
meet  a  lordly  Turk,  I  can  withdraw  my  head  into  its  deep 
recesses  so  far  as  to  almost  obviate  the  necessity  of  a  veil. 
That  of  my  companion  is  smaller,  a  rather  dainty  white  one, 
since  she  is  more  recently  arrived  from  the  outer  world,  and  not 
wholly  disenthralled  from  its  tyranny  ;  but  the  sun  looks  upon 
her  more  frequently,  and,  in  the  end,  my  blue  "parachute" 
bears  off  the  palm  !  We  amuse  ourselves  by  imagining  the  sen 
sation  our  present  appearance,  with  our  retinue,  would  create 
on  Broadway,  New  York,  or  Washington  street,  Boston. 

Haji  Simeon, — a  good,  stalwart,  Protestant  brother,  who 
knows  the  country  through  which  our  road  lies,  and  is  to  be 
our  man-of-all-work,  secure  places  for  lodging  at  night,  and 
oversee  the  muleteers  as  far  as  Sivas, — comes  next,  sitting 
astride  his  bedding,  etc.,  etc.,  piled  upon  a  pack  saddle. 


THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


Close  behind  is  the  took,  and  the  kitchen,  both  mounted  upon 
one  horse  !  Two  boxes,  containing  the  necessary  articles  of 
food,  cooking  utensils,  and  dishes,  are  strapped  across  the 
horse's  back,  swinging  out  on  either  side,  and  an  earthen  jug 
for  water,  and  a  tin  cup  or  two  dangle  from  the  broad  saddle  on 
which  Sarkis  has  placed  his  bedding  and  a  great,  shaggy 
sheepskin  coat,  himself  mounted  on  the  top  of  all.  Three 
mules,  carrying  our  trunks,  camp-bedsteads,  with  the  bedding  in 
huge  leathern  sacks,  two  donkeys,  and  three  muleteers,  who  take 
turns  in  riding,  bring  up  the  rear.  In  securing  "  animals"  and 
making  the  bargain  for  this  journey,  the  men  were  thrown  in  ! 
They  " find  themselves" 

THE  JOURNEY. 

And  now  we  are  fairly  on  our  way,  rapidly  passing  over  the 
broad,  grassy  plain,  where  herds  of  cattle  and  flocks  of  sheep 
are  quietly  feeding,  attended  by  their  shepherds.  We  ride 
through  a  couple  of  Turkish  "  mud  villages."  Numbers  cf 
storks,  held  in  reverence  by  the  Moslems,  are  fearlessly  stalk 
ing  about  on  their  long  legs,  or  perched  upon  deserted  chim 
neys,  whence  they  look  down  with  stately  composure  upon  our 
party.  Their  return  from  Egypt  is  considered  a  sure  sign  of 
settled  weather ;  and  when  the  singular  clapping  is  heard  from 
the  old  tree  overhanging  the  mosque,  near  the  missionary  home 
at  Marsovan,  where  a  famous  stork  has  made  its  nest,  its 
arrival  is  hailed  with  great  demonstrations  of  joy. 

At  noon-tide  we  rest  by  a  stream  of  water,  beneath  the  shade 
of  a  grove  of  young  willows,  and  partake  of  the  excellent 
luncheon  provided  by  the  dear  friends  from  whom  we  have 
parted. 

As  we   approach  the  rocky  ramparts  of  Amasia,   beautiful 


HARPOOT.  377 


flowers,  springing  from  their  stern  embrace  in  many  a  rugged 
cleft,  greet  us  with  a  smiling  welcome — the  timid  hare-bell 
trembling  in  the  breeze,  as  it  nods  its  drooping  head  to  the 
passers-by.  A  little  further  on,  and  we  come  to  a  per 
fect  wilderness  of  verdure.  Banks  of  sweet,  blue-eyed  vio 
lets  look  modestly  up  from  their  lowly  beds,  with  here 
and  there  "  spring  -  beauties,"  delicate  anemones,  flowering 
shrubs,  and  graceful  vines.  On  the  other  side  of  our  pathway 
are  numerous  trees,  the  silver-leafed  poplar,  or  the  aspen,  larch, 
beach,  oak,  sycamore,  and  olive,  just  robed  in  their  new  and  deli 
cate  spring-dress,  amid  the  deeper-hued  hemlock,  cedar,  pine, 
and  holly, — with  the  clematis  and  hawthorn  interlaced,  and  the 
wild  rose  peeping  out  from  the  hedge-rows,  preparing  for  a  later 
display.  Between  the  thick  foliage  of  the  drooping  branches, 
we  get  occasional  glimpses  of  the  dazzling  greensward  beyond, 
and  from  the  deepest  thicket  catch  the  faint,  soft  warblings  of 
the  nightingale  as  evening  shades  begin  to  fall.  We  receive 
a  cordial  welcome  from  our  German  friends,  with  whom  we  spend 
a  pleasant  Sabbath,  while  the  men  put  up  at  a  khan  in  the  town. 

Monday  morning  finds  us  again  ready  for  our  journey,  much, 
refreshed  by  the  rest,  and  a  feast  of  American  letters,  and  notes 
from  the  missionary  circles  at  Marsovan,  Constantinople,  and 
Harpoot.  Miss  F.  received  twelve  from  the  United  States,  and 
was  no  more  grateful  than  I  for  but  two  ;  reminding  me  of  a 
story  respecting  one  of  the  early  missionaries  to  this  country, 
who  waited  long  after  her  arrival  for  a  home-mail,  and  when,  at 
last,  it  came,  she  was  greatly  disappointed,  and  actually  shed 
a  few  tears,  because  there  were  '•'•only  sixty"  letters  for  her  ! 
In  process  of  time  she  rejoiced  over  even  one. 

It  is  nine  o'clock  before  Haji  makes  his  appearance  with  the 
horses.  The  clouds,  which  have  hung  darkly  over  us  all  the 


378  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


morning,  threatening  another  rain  like  that  of  yesterday,  break 
away,  and  the  sun  again  shows  his  face. 

Herr  Stroh  accompanies  us  a  little  way.  He  is  very  polite 
and  attentive, — notwithstanding  our  "  outlandish  rig,"  which  he 
declared  "  very  sensible"  to  \hQfniulcin,  in  whose  mirth  over 
it  we  heartily  joined; — pointing  out  numerous  relics  of  ancient 
architecture  in  passing  through  the  town  ;  slabs  covered  with 
inscriptions,  inserted  in  the  walls,  or  forming  the  doorsteps  of 
native  dwellings  ;  and  particularly  calling  our  attention  to  some 
old  buildings  on  the  outskirts,  as  specimens  of  the  Moorish  or 
Saracenic  style.  The  gateways  are  exquisitely  beautiful  ;  the 
elaborately-carved  stone  resembling  the  finest  embroidery  or 
lacework.  We  ride  for  some  distance  over  an  old  aqueduct,  a 
rocky  wall  looming  up  on  either  side.  Here  our  German 
friend  courteously  wishes  us  a  good  journey,  and  returns  to  the 
silk  works,  which  he  superintends,  and  we  go  on  our  way 
rejoicing  in  the  beauty  so  lavishly  showered  on  every  side.  The 
glorious  sunshine,  the  glad  music  of  birds  and  rushing  streams, 
with  now  and  then  a  sparkling,  foaming  cascade,  dashing 
headlong  among  the  bleached  rocks ;  flowers  are  blooming 
everywhere  ;  wild  goats  clamber  up  the  mountain  sides,  and 
flocks  of  sheep  are  scattered  over  the  verdant  plains,  with  here 
and  there  a  shepherd  dotting  the  peaceful  picture.  By-and-by 
we  meet  a  few  villagers,  and  from  the  bag  which  one  of  them 
carries  over  his  shoulder  issues  certain  sounds  suggestive  to  our 
"man  Friday"  of  savory  edibles  for  supper:  Whereupon  he 
stops  to  bargain  with  the  owner  thereof.  Looking  back  a  few 
minutes  later,  we  see  feathers  flying  in  the  air,  and  ere  long 
Sarkis  joins  the  company  with  his  prize — all  plucked  and  ready 
for  a  stew — fastened  to  one  of  his  boxes,  where  it  swings, 
"  a  specimen  of  suspended  animation/' 


HARPOOT.  379 


LODGINGS  AT  THE  FIRST  HOTEL. 
At  four  o'clock  we  reached  our  "  hotel,"  at  Yeni-Bazaar. 
This  mud  khan  stands  alone  in  the  open  country ;  a  long, 
low  building,  comprising  a  range  of  small  rooms  around  a 
larger  one  in  the  centre,  appropriated  to  the  horses  and 
other  beasts  of  burden.  Each  room  is  capped  by  a  rude 
chimney.  Our  caravan  fills  up  the  vacant  places  in  the 
"  inn,"  which  is,  undoubtedly,  very  like  the  one  in  Bethlehem, 
where  Joseph  and  Mary  sought  shelter,  betaking  themselves, 
for  want  of  room,  to  the  part  assigned  to  the  animals.  We 
were  fortunate  in  securing  an  end  room,  with  a  separate  outer 
door,  secluding  us  from  the  other  travelers.  We  bend  low 
to  enter  our  new  quarters;  the  place  is  about  twelve 
by  fourteen  feet  in  size :  four  bare  mud  walls ;  the 
floor  and  fire-place  at  one  end  being  all  of  the  same 
material  and  dingy  color ;  two  or  three  •  chinks  near  the 
roof,  admit  the  light  and  air,  and  with  the  chimney,  fur 
nish  sufficient  ventilation ;  and  we  are  thankful  to  escape 
from  the  cold,  piercing  wind  of  the  last  hour  or  two ;  grate 
ful  to  be  by  ourselves,  instead  of  camping  down  in  the 
stable  by  the  side  of  our  horses  and  mules,  and,  mayhap,  a 
lower  order  of  creation  !  While  we  are  waiting  for  our  lug 
gage  to  be  brought  in  that  we  may  find  a  seat,  the  low 
door-way  is  crowded  with  curious  gazers  of  all  sorts  and 
conditions.  A  mat  and  piece  of  sackcloth  are  spread  upon 
the  floor,  and  here  we  take  our  position,  while  the  horses 
are  being  unloaded.  The  luggage  is  stowed  away  for  safety, 
as  compactly  as  possible,  at  one  end  of  the  apartment ;  that 
is  our  "  store-room  ;"  the  little  bedsteads  are  put  up,  with 
a  curtain  hung  before  them,  that  we  may  rest;  and  this 


380  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


corner  is  both  "  dressing-room  "  and  "  bed-chamber."  Sarkis 
makes  a  fire,  and  prepares  a  refreshing  cup  of  tea,  at  the 
end  which  we  denominate  "  kitchen  and  dining-room;"  after 
which,  we  get  out  our  "  note-books  "  to  "  write  up," — in  the 
central  "  parlor  and  library,"  seated  upon  camp-stool  or  sad 
dle,  as  the  case  may  be,  in  place  of  easy-chair,  or  sofa  ! — 
And  we  are  very  merry  over  the  contrivances  to  make  the 
most  of  our  limitations. 

At  this  moment,  Haji  puts  his  head  in  at  the  door,  and  says 
that  there  is  an  opportunity  to  send  letters  to  Marsovan ; 
and  while  our  pens  are  busily  employed  in  writing  to  the 
friends  who  are  following  us  with  their  prayers,  the  "  chick 
en  stew "  is  simmering  over  the  fire,  and  Sarkis  bobs 
in  and  out,  in  the  discharge  of  his  culinary  duties.  Din 
ner  is  announced  at  eight  o'clock,  in  our  aristocratic 
hotel ;  the  hours  are  kept  according  to  the  most  approved 
style,  though  the  table  arrangements  are  certainly  very 
unique !  A  couple  of  boards  are  placed  upon  a  box, 
over  which  napkins  are  spread,  and  tin  plates  ranged,  very 
near  the  edge,  to  leave  space  for  the  indispensable  dishes  in 
the  centre.  Things  are  considerably  crowded,  and  jostle 
their  neighbors  without  much  ceremony ;  but  there  is  one 
comfort :  everything  is  close  at  hand,  and  needed  condi 
ments  and  comestibles  can  be  reached  from  bags  and  boxes 
almost  without  rising  !  The  fowl  proves  to  be  a  tough  subject ; 
we  suspect  its  ancient  origin,  and  eschew  it,  after  many  vain 
endeavors  to  extract  a  supply  of  nourishment ;  turning  for 
consolation  to  the  toast  and  rice,  which  are  saturated  with 
the  broth.  When  the  meal  is  ended,  we  finish  and  send  off 
our  letters,  spend  a  half-hour  in  singing  new  Sunday-School 
tunes  in  the  "  Golden  Censer,"  and  after  "  family  worship," 


HARPOOT.  381 


betake  us  to  rest  for  the  night.  Mr.  Dodd  spreads  his  couch 
on  the  other  side  of  the  room,  and  Snrkis  lodges  with  Haji 
and  the  muleteers.  We  sleep  well,  and  rise  early ;  the  beds 
are  taken  down  and  packed,  while  our  simple  breakfast  is 
prepared  and  eaten ;  and  when  we  are  having  prayers  with 
in  the  dismantled  room,  Sarkis  is  washing  dishes,  and  pack 
ing  up  his  "  kitchen,"  outside. 

THE  FOURTH  DAY. 

All  things  being  ready,  we  start  soon  after  seven  o'clock. 
Our  route  is  again  south-eastward ;  a  cold  wind  from  the 
north-east  is  uncomfortably  chilling  for  the  first  two  hours, 
and  the  roads  are  muddy  from  recent  rains.  But  as  we 
proceed,  our  eyes  are  again  cheered  by  sweet  spring  flowers, 
and  the  songs  of  birds,  the  clear  note  of  the  cuckoo  rising  in 
the  intervals.  A  range  of  noble  mountains  surrounds  the 
pleasant  plain,  which,  like  the  country  selected  by  Lot, 
seems  well  watered  and  fruitful.  We  see  Turkhal,  and  its 
ancient  castle,  not  far  away.  The  scenery  around  the  town  is 
said  to  be  exceedingly  wild.  Hamilton,  in  his  work  on 
Asia  Minor,  says  of  this  place :  "  The  most  remarkable  fea 
ture  is  the  castle-hill,  which  is  completely  insulated,  and 
rises  to  the  height  of  six  or  seven  hundred  feet,  the  castle 
being  situated  on  the  very  summit.  The  rock  is  a  semi- 
crystaline  limestone."  The  ancient  name,  given  by  Strabo, 
is  Gazionra ;  described  as  a  royal  residence,  and  one  of  the 
strongholds  of  Mithradates,  in  Pontus. 

As  the  hours  move  on  into  the  afternoon,  I  become 
very  weary,  and  even  a  moment  of  rest  upon  the  bosom 
of  mother-earth  is  a  luxury ;  but  "  the  loads  "  go  on,  and 
we  must  keep  together.  The  last  two  hours  drag  their 


382  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

slow  length  along  interminably;  and  the  rain  falls  fast 
as  we  approach  the  Koordish  or  Circassian  village,  where 
we  are  to  spend  the  night.  The  men  look  very  pictur 
esque  in  their  high,  shaggy,  black  hats,  and  long  blue 
coats,  the  belt  bristling  with  weapons,  and  a  cartouch 
on  each  side  of  the  breast.  These  Circassians  are  very 
straight  and  spare  in  figure,  a  little  above  the  medium 
height ;  they  are  generally  known  as  a  lawless  class,  and  eye 
us  sharply  as  we  draw  up  in  the  dirty  court  of  the  khan, 
where  women  and  children  join  the  crowd  called  forth  by 
the  arrival  of  the  "Franks."  We  dismount  and  enter  the 
great  room  in  the  centre  of  the  building ;  it  has  quite  an  im 
posing  dome,  but  a  glance  at  the  dirty  earth  floor,  and  the 
narrow  platform  extending  around  the  sides,  where  a  num 
ber  of  travelers  are  passing  through  the  various  stages  of 
rest  or  refreshment,  quickly  dispels  the  illusion  of  grandeur. 
We  can  take  our  choice,  mingling  with  the  common  herd  in 
this  "  outer  court,"  or  securing  a  little  sanctum,  in  a  small, 
dark,  inner  room.  We  prefer  the  latter,  and  a  man  is  forthwith 
ordered  to  prepare  it  for  our  reception.  The  clouds  of  dust 
which  speedily  issue  from  the  door  give  unmistakable  evidence 
of  its  condition  ;  a  dirty  mat,  and  one  or  two  pieces  of  carpet 
are  spread  for  us,  and  we  take  possession  of  our  cheerless 
quarters.  Sarkis  has  gathered  a  few  bits  of  wood,  which  he 
is  chipping  off  for  kindlings  to  make  a  fire  in  the  miserable 
hole  of  a  chimney ;  I  ask  him  the  name  of  the  "  inn,"  and 
he  simply  indicates  it  by  drawing  his  knife  significantly 
across  his  throat:  "CUT-THROAT  khan!"  I  exclaim,  in 
horror,  to  my  companion,  who  is  no  less  startled  than  my 
self  at  the  intimation.  We  survey  our  little  room  with  keen 
scrutiny ;  there  are  no  outer  doors  or  windows,  nor  even  a 


HARPOOT.  383 


chink  in  the  wall  for  egress;  it  would  be  impossible 
to  escape  through  the  narrow  chimney,  and  we  are  com 
pletely  shut  in,  at  the  mercy  of  those  fierce,  armed  men, — if 
they  should  choose  to  attack  us  in  the  night !  But  our 
thoughts  at  once  turn  to  Him  who  neither  slumbers  nor 
sleeps,  and  we  dismiss  our  fears.  My  narrow  bed  is  soon  pre 
pared,  and  yielding  to  overpowering  fatigue,  I  fall  into  a 
sound  sleep,  from  which  I  am  awakened  to  partake  of  supper ; 
but  feeling  more  the  need  of  rest  than  of  food,  after  a  little  re 
freshment  I  again  seek  my  couch,  where  my  senses  are 
quickly  locked  in  slumber,  till  the  two  wide-awake  ones  call 
me  to  come  and  sing.  Stupefied,  and  but  half- conscious,  I 
am  like  one  in  a  dream : — It  seems  a  little  like  Paul  and 
Silas  singing  in  prison !  but  they  are  really  in  earnest,  and  I 
must  rouse  myself  and  tune  my  voice  to  sing  "  praises  unto 
God."  The  door-way  is  filled  with  listeners,  to  whom  we 
sing  the  Gospel  of  Love  : — "  Peace  on  earth,  and  good-will  to 
men."  When  we  kneel  in  prayer,  they  are  silent,  and  respect 
our  worship ;  and  we  say,  with  the  Psalmist,  "  I  will  both  lay 
me  down  in  peace,  and  sleep :  for  thou,  Lord,  only  makest 
me  dwell  in  safety."  Our  quarters  are  even  more  cramped 
than  last  night ;  and  when  the  beds  are  all  spread,  one  has  to 
wait  for  the  other,  there  is  so  little  space  to  stand ! 

When  at  last  all  is  still  within,  the  rain  pattering  upon  the 
roof  makes  soft  and  soothing  music,  and  we  sleep  till  the  first 
call  to  arise,  at  half-past  two  o'clock  in  the  morning !  This 
Mr.  Dodd  decidedly  declines  doing,  and  the  muleteers  leave 
us  alone  till  a  little  after  four.  The  breakfast,  of  boiled  eggs, 
and  coffee,  is  dispatched,  and  we  read  the  ninety-first  Psalm, 
with  a  deeper  appreciation  of  its  meaning  than  ever  before ; 
offering  grateful  thanks  for  the  peace  and  protection  of  the 


384  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

night.  The  real  name  of  the  place  is  "  Executioner's  Khan," 
so  called  because  that  office  was  held  by  the  man  who  built 
it,  and  its  vicinity  to  the  spot  where  the  execution  of  several 
noted  robbers  took  place. 

FIFTH  DA  Y—TOCA  T. 

The  rain  is  over,  and  the  morning  proves  bright  and 
pleasant,  though  the  roads  are  very  muddy,  and  there  will 
be  no  walking  to-day.  Our  route  lies  through  an  extensive, 
treeless  plain ;  the  summits  of  the  mountains  are  enveloped 
in  fleecy  clouds,  and  as  the  sun  rises  in  his  strength,  they 
slowly  roll  away,  and  disappear,  till  all  those  rocky  heights 
are  bathed  in  the  warm  glow  of  living  light.  It  is  a  grand 
sight,  and  inspires  faith  in  the  final  triumph  of  truth  over 
every  barrier  raised  by  the  god  of  this  world  ! 

A  traveler  joins  our  party;  a  fine-looking  Jew,  returning 
to  Tocat.  He  converses  in  Hebrew-Spanish  with  Mr.  Dodd, 
who,  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parsons  of  Nicomedia,  labored  for 
several  years  among  the  "lost  sheep  of  the  house  of 
Israel."  "I  am  hurrying  home,"  the  stranger  says,  "  for 
tomorrow  is  Passover." — And  after  a  moment's  conver 
sation,  he  adds,  somewhat  plaintively,  "  We  have  no  sac- 
rifice  now ;  neither  at  Jerusalem."  Mr.  Dodd  is  speaking 
of  the  One  Great  Sacrifice  for  sin, — the  Savior  of  the  world, 
when  a  number  of  peasants,  miserable  specimens  of  humanity, 
pass  by,  and  the  Jew,  pointing  to  them,  derisively  inquires, 
"  Can  these  poor  sticks  be  saved?"  He  listens  with  con 
strained  politeness  for  a  few  moments,  while  the  great  plan 
of  redemption  for  the  entire  race  of  man  is  spread  before 
him;  then  says,  with  a  shrug,  "I  am  an  ignorant  man; "I 
leave  these  things  to  the  Rabbis ;  "  and  quickening  his 


HARPOOT.  385 


horse's  pace,  the  misguided  son  of  Abraham,  from  whose 
heart  the  veil  is  not  yet  removed,  presses  on  his  homeward 
way.  We  take  our  luncheon,  and  gather  flowers  on  the  banks 
of  the  rapidly  flowing  "  Iris," — tiny  white  and  azure-eyed 
blossoms,  which  tell  us,  "  God  is  here  also  !  "  ""  Stars  of 
Bethlehem "  look  up  from  the  road-side,  and  link  them 
selves  with  compassionate  thoughts  of  those  who  still  reject 
Him  who  was  "  made  like  unto  His  brethren,"  that  He 
might  make  them  "  SONS  OF  GOD  !" 

The  approach  to  Tocat  is  very  fine ;  we  pass  over  a  good 
carriage  road,  with  pleasant  gardens  and  vineyards  on  either 
side ;  great  rocks  and  mountains  tower  heavenward,  their 
sides  richly  tinted  with  many  hues,  like  vast  specimens  of 
mosaic  ;  red  earth  is  very  prominent  in  the  soil.  The  ruins 
of  an  old  castle  rise  conspicuously,  overhanging  the  city  ;  we 
cross  an  old  Roman  bridge,  with  five  massive  arches,  and 
watch  the  men  and  boys  who  are  fishing  on  the  banks  of 
the  river.  The  number  of  good  buildings  is  surprising, 
though  here,  as  in  all  Eastern  cities,  the  old  and  the  new  are 
strangely  intermingled.  From  many  of  the  walls,  and  more 
modern  structures,  large  tablets,  of  Moorish,  or  Greek 
origin,  bearing  inscriptions,  peer  out  upon  us  like  ghosts  of 
the  past. 

This  is  the  city  where  the  blessed  missionary,  Henry 
Martyn,  laid  down  his  life.  We  stop  at  a  khan  close  by  the 
towering  rock  which  bears  the  castle  on  its  apex,  in  the  very 
heart  of  the  city;  and  crowding  through  the  place  where  the 
animals  are  fastened,  pass  up  a  flight  of  stairs,  which  lead 
to  a  large,  comfortable  room,  with  the  luxury  of  a  board 
floor.  There  are  yet  two  or  three  hours  before  sunset,  and 
after  a  brief  rest,  we  sally  forth,  under  the  escort  of  the 
17 


386  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


Protestant  helper,  who  has  called  to  welcome  us ;  bending 
our  steps  to  the  Mission  premises  not  far  distant,  a  quiet, 
secluded  quarter,  within  the  town.  Here  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Van 
Lennep  were  stationed  for  a  few  years,  in  connection  with 
the  Theological  Seminary  for  the  Interior;  but  when  the 
buildings  were  destroyed  by  fire,  the  place  was  abandoned. 
The  grounds  are  beautiful ;  nowhere  in  this  country  have 
we  seen  so  charming  a  place  occupied  by  the  missionaries 
of  the  American  Board.  Five  or  six  terraces  are  covered 
with  a  variety  of  trees  and  shrubs,  amid  whose  leafy  bowers 
the  clear,  sparkling  water  gushes  from  a  great  marble  basin  ; 
the  air  is  fragrant  with  the  perfume  of  roses,  and  vocal  with 
the  melody  of  the  feathered  songsters  who  make  thoir  home 
in  this  deserted  paradise.  But  the  sweetest,  the  most  fragrant, 
and  most  sacred  spot  within  this  enclosure  is  the  grave  of 
Henry  Martyn.  We  pause  in  silence  beneath  the  Weeping 
Willow,  whose  drooping  branches  caressingly  touch  the  tomb, 
as  they  gently  sway  back  and  forth,  and  our  thoughts  are 
busy :  How  little  did  I  ever  dream  that  my  feet  would  one 
day  stand  by  the  grave  of  the,  Missionary  whose  name,  from 
earliest  childhood,  had  been  a  household  word ;  and  whose 
touching  memoir  was  perhaps  the  first  secret  inspiration  that 
finally  led  to  a  similar  service  !  My  little  "  Daily  Food  "  is 
in  my  pocket,  and  it  seems  a  singular  coincidence  that  the 
verse  for  the  day  should  be,  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  which 
die  in  the  Lord  :"  the  remainder  of  the  passage  comes  home 
to  my  heart  with  new  force  and  depth  of  meaning  :  "  Yea, 
saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors  :  and 
THEIR  WORKS  DO  FOLLOW  THEM."  Near  the  new  and  hand 
some  monument  lately  erected  by  the  East  India  Company — 
through  the  persistent  efforts  of  Dr.  Van  Lennep — stands  the 


HARPOOT.  387 


old  tombstone  which  he,  with  his  students,  rescued  from 
oblivion,  digging  it  from  the  earth,  where  it  had  long  lain 
unheeded  till  it  was  shrouded  from  sight.  It  is  a  simple, 
time-stained  tablet,  with  a  rudely-cut  inscription  in  Latin. 
Close  by  that  honored  grave,  sleeps  his  own  first-born, 
"  Henrico,  "  a  lovely  boy  of  five  or  six  years,  who  was  a 
young  preacher  of  righteousness  to  the  Armenians  during 
the  last  year  or  two  of  his  brief  life.  We  gather  a  few 
leaves  and  rose-buds,  as  a  memento  of  the  hallowed  spot, 
and,  as  we  turn  away,  softly  sing  : 

"Asleep  in  Jesus  ;  far  from  thee 
Thy  kindred  and  their  graves  may  be  ; 
But  it  is  still  that  blessed  sleep 
From  which  none  ever  wake  to  weep." 

Tocat  is  the  chief  commercial  centre  of  this  region.  Its 
situation  is  very  picturesque,  and  many  of  the  dwellings  are 
embosomed  in  gardens ;  but  though  in  the  very  midst  of 
mountains  of  the  finest  marble,  it  is  almost  entirely  built  of 
wood  and  sun-dried  bricks.  There  are  fifteen  mosques  in 
the  city,  one  of  which,  in  the  Saracenic  style,  is  very  old. 
It  is  circular,  with  two  wings,  and  a  large  portico  built  of 
the  most  beautiful  marble  in  a  variety  of  colors. 

SIXTH  DAY— AMONG    THE  MOUNTAINS. 

We  make  an  early  start  in  the  morning  for  a  long  day's 
ride  among  the  Chamlu  Bel,  or  Pine  Ridge  Mountains.  How 
grand  they  are  !  What  thoughts  they  inspire  of  Him  who 
piled  them  up  so  lavishly — our  Rock  and  Refuge  from  ths 
storms  of  earth !  The  distant  peaks,  lifting  their  snowy 
heads  against  the  clear  blue  sky,  look  pure  and  solemn,  as  if 


388  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

holding  communion  with  their  Maker.  Nestling  close  by 
banks  of  snow — some  of  which  are  ten  feet  deep  in  the 
shaded  nooks  of  these  upper  regions — we  meet  again  our 
sweet  spring  friends — "  God's  smiles  " — in  blooming  flow 
ers  ;  and  on  every  side,  rushing  streams  are  hastening  to 
rejoice  the  world  below.  As  we  descend  from  some  moun 
tain  height,  sunny  slopes  decked  with  the  yellow  primrose 
greet  our  steps ;  "  star-flowers  "  lift  their  pure  eyes,  and 
little  strangers,  clad  in  pale  blue,  nod  a  welcome. 

Evening  advances ;  the  shadows  deepen  among  the  moun 
tains,  and  they  are  wonderfully  beautiful  and  impressive.  Our 
accommodations  at "  Kharghun  "  are  somewhat  different  from 
any  we  have  yet  found.  S?,rkis  and  Haji  lodge  in  a  corner 
of  our  one  inner  room,  and  just  outside  are  eight  horses, 
two  donkeys,  and  three  Turks  !  We  are  very  weary  after 
being  in  the  saddle  for  twelve  hours,  and  greatly  annoyed  by 
men  and  women,  who  come  "for  to  see  the  hanums" 
They  walk  in  without  ceremony,  exaiaine  and  pronounce 
upon  our  looks  and  clothing,,  as  coolly  as  if  we  were  put  up 
for  sale  in  a  slave-market!  It  is  impossible  to  secure  any 
rest,  and  we  are  constantly  obliged  to  watch,  lest  they  steal 
some  of  our  effects.  Mr.  Dodd  takes  pity  upon  us,  and  mildly 
remonstrates,  telling  the  intruders  that  we  are  weary,  and 
wish  to  be  alone.  But  his  words  produce  little  effect,  till 
Haji,  who  has  had  more  experience  with  this  type  of  human 
ity,  comes  to  the  rescue,  and  issues  a  stern  command,  which 
speedily  disperses  the  curious  crowd.  It  is  perhaps  accord 
ing  to  the  "  law  of  compensation,"  that  "  tired  nature's  sweet 
restorer,"  which  so  often  refused  to  come  at  our  call,  when 
surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of  a  Christian  home,  should 
now  overpower  us  as  soon  as  our  heads  touch  the  pillow ! 


HARPOOT.  389 


SEVENTH  DAY—SIVAS. 

Our  next  station  is  Sivas.  One  more  day's  journey,  due 
south,  and  we  shall  rest  in  the  homes  of  missionary  friends  ! 
We  are  in  our  saddles  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  glad 
to  take  full  draughts  of  the  pure  air  of  heaven,  the  wine  of 
life,  so  fresh,  so  free,  and  yet  so  little  prized  !  The  way  is 
not  very  pleasant :  a  shower,  of  two  hours'  duration,  comes 
on,  and  we  jog  along,  single  file,  looking  like  a  disconsolate 
company  of  monks,  in  our  rubber  cloaks,  with  the  hoods 
drawn  over  our  heads.  The  clouds  empty  their  watery 
contents  upon  us  four  times  during  the  day.  We  have  just 
alighted,  to  walk  down  a  steep  hill  into  the  plain  which 
stretches  invitingly  below,  when  suddenly,  claps  of  thunder 
reverberate  among  the  mountains  ;  vivid  flashes  of  lightning 
play  about  our  defenceless  heads,  and  before  we  can  suc 
ceed  in  remounting  our  horses,  a  perfect  deluge  is  let  loose 
upon  us !  Oh,  how  the  last  two  hours  stretch  their  weary 
length  !  At  every  turn  in  the  road,  we  longingly  look  for 
our  haven  of  rest;  but,  like  an  ignis-fahius,  it  constantly 
recedes.  At  last,  however,  to  our  great  delight,  it  comes  in 
view ;  and  after  many  turnings  and  windings,  we  find  our 
selves  pacing  its  muddy  streets,  arid  are  soon  welcomed, 
and  at  rest,  with  one  of  the  three  families  who  are  stationed 
in  this  city.  This  is  the  evening  of  Friday,  and  we  remain 
for  a  few  days,  to  rest  and  make  the  necessary  preparations 
for  the  yet  longer  journey  which  lies  beyond. 

It  is  not  a  time  to  see  much  of  the  missionary  work  at 
this  Station,  for  the  weather  is  very  inclement ;  but  we  enjoy 
the  society  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Livingston,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Winchester  and  their  little  ones;  and  among  the  Protestant 


390  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


friends  who  call  to  see  us,  are  two  of  my  former  pupils  from 
Constantinople,  one  of  whom  is  married  to  a  promising 
pupil  of  Dr.  West,  who,  with  his  family,  is  now  absent  at 
Cesarea. 

TWELFTH  DA  Y. 

We  leave  Sivas  on  Wednesday  morning,  the  2yth  of  April, 
taking  the  "  post  route  "  south-east,  on  the  line  of  the  telegraph 
to  India ;  and,  when  we  are  really  on  our  way,  a  signal  flashes 
along  the  wires  to  Harpoot.  From  the  high  ground  beyond 
the  city  we  obtain  a  fine  view  of  it,  with  the  ancient  "  Halys" 
rushing  past. 

The  rains  are  over,  and  the  air  is  pure  and  exhilarating.  We 
are  refreshed  by  our  prolonged  season  of  rest,  and  the  wild 
rocks  which  are  piled  around  our  pathway  echo  to  the  songs  of 
our  pilgrimage.  Madame  Guyon's  delightful  hymn — "  O,  Lord, 
how  full  of  sweet  content " — is  often  on  our  lips.  But  more  fre 
quently  than  any  other  do  we  sing,  "  In  Heavenly  love 
abiding,"  Anna  Waring' s  sweet  pilgrim-song  : 

"  Wherever  He  may  guide  me, 

No  want  shall  turn  me  back  ; 
My  Shepherd  is  beside  me, 

And  nothing  can  I  lack  : 
His  wisdom  ever  wakcth, 

His  sight  is  never  dim  ; 
He  knows  the  way  lie  taketh, 

And  I  will  walk  with  Him." 

After  a  ride  of  six  hours  we  descend  to  more  uniform  and 
monotonous  scenery.  Not  a  tree  can  be  seen  ;  not  even  a 
shrub  to  which  we  may  tie  our  horses  while  we  rest  and  partake 
of  refreshment.  Our  muleteers  are  in  advance,  and  the  Turk 
ish  guard,  who  was  secured  at  Sivas,  is  with  us,  our  good  Haji 
having  departed  on  his  own  business.  A  few  boulders  at  a 


HARPOOT.  391 


turn  of  the  road  present  our  best  halting-place.  One  of  the 
horses  is  fastened  to  a  projecting  stone,  another  is  held  by  the 
cavass,  and  Mr.  Dodd  secures  his  own  by  fastening  the  bridle 
to  his  leg ;  proceeding  to  open  the  saddle-bags  containing  our 
luncheon.  At  this  stage  of  affairs  a  large  drove  of  horses, 
mules,  and  donkeys  appears  in  the  road.  They  are  upon  us 
before  we  are  aware,  and  in  a  moment  our  horses  become  wild 
and  unmanageable  ;  one  of  them  breaks  loose  and  rushes  among 
the  confused  and  tumultuous  crowd;  Mr.  Dodd  is  dragged 
some  distance  into  the  midst  of  the  caravan,  and  the  cavass 
has  his  hands  full  with  the  two  wild,  plunging  horses  he  is 
trying  to  hold.  It  is  a  moment  of  terror.  Miss  Fritcher  and  I 
clamber  high  among  the  stones  to  a  place  of  safety,  our  hearts 
full  of  unspoken  fears  for  our  brother's  life.  Certain  possibili 
ties  flash  through  our  minds  : — "  If  our  protector  is  taken  from 
us  in  this  wilderness,  what  will  be  our  fate  ?"  But  "  the  Angel 
of  His  presence"  saves  us  :  Greatly  to  our  joy,  Mr.  Dodd  is 
enabled  to  disentangle  himself  and  obtain  the  mastery  over  his 
steed  ;  and,  after  a  little,  the  other  horse  is  secured. 

Still  trembling  from  the  fright,  but  with  hearts  full  of  grati 
tude  for  our  preservation,  we  hasten  to  resume  our  march, 
taking  from  the  open  bag  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of 
hunger  should  our  lost  appetites  return.  This  little  episode 
has  fatigued  us  more  than  many  a  day's  journey. 

We  reach  the  small  Koordish  village  of  Oulash,  in  good 
season.  Here  again  the  people  persistently  crowd  around, 
feeling  of  our  garments,  and  talking  all  manner  of  gibberish,  while 
we  inhale  the  disagreeable  odor  of  their  persons  and  breath.  I 
tell  them  that  we  wish  to  be  alone  awhile,  when  one  of  the 
women  exclaims,  "  She  speaks  Armenian  !"  and  immediately 
sends  word  to  her  son,  a  "  reader  in  the  church,"  who  soon 


392  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

makes  his  appearance,  and  enters  into  conversation.  He  says, 
in  answer  to  my  question,  "  We  have  no  Bible  in  the  house,  but 
there  is  one  in  the  church."  After  hearing  several  hymns  read 
and  explained,  they  reluctantly  retire,  and  we  are  left  to  make 
our  preparations  for  the  night  in  the  one  room  which  serves  for 
all  the  company.  However,  the  great  chimney  furnishes  suffi 
cient  ventilation,  and  we  sleep  soundly  till  day  dawns. 

THIRTEENTH  DA  Y. 

We  travel  but  four  hours  to-day,  that  we  may  make  our  stop 
ping-place  for  Sunday  at  a  convenient  and  comfortable  khan. 
The  road  becomes  more  and  more  wild  and  desolate  as  we 
proceed  on  our  journey.  There  is  not  a  tree  to  be  seen  in  any 
direction,  and  very  few  flowers.  A  couplet  of  an  old  hymn  fre 
quently  comes  to  mind  : 

"  Lord,  what  a  desert  land  is  this 
That  yields  us  no  supply." 

It  is  mid-day  when  we  reach  "  Deliklitash ;"  there  is  no 
khan  in  the  village,  and  Mr.  Dodd  tries  in  vain  to  obtain 
a  room.  We  seat  ourselves  among  the  stones  of  the  burial- 
place  at  the  edge  of  the  village,  and  are  quickly  surrounded  by 
a  company  of  women  and  children,  many  of  whom  are  but  half 
clothed,  and  so  diseased  and  filthy  that  the  sight  is  sickening. 
We  are  forced  to  turn  our  eyes  away  from  misery  which  we 
cannot  relieve. 

Meanwhile  the  cavass  is  canvassing  the  place,  and,  greatly  to 
our  relief,  after  an  hour  of  weary  waiting,  he  makes  his  appear 
ance,  bringing  word  from  the  Mudir  that  we  may  occupy  his 
house,  We  find  a  large  upper  room,  carpeted,  and  with  a  few 
cushions  ranged  around  the  wall.  A  crowd  of  officious 


IIARPOOT.  393 


hangers-on, — "  office-seekers"  if  not  holders,  surround  us.  The 
great  man  comes  to  pay  his  respects.  Coffee  is  made  by  his 
"  cup-bearer,"  who  asks  us  for  sugar  to  "  sweeten  them  all 
round."  After  a  prolonged  sitting,  hisTurkship  withdraws,  and 
we  are  left  to  enjoy  a  little  quiet  and  freedom  by  ourselves. 

This  is  the  region  of  flat  roofs  :  We  saw  at  Sivas,  for  the 
first  time,  a  few  specimens  of  "  the  grass  upon  the  housetops, 
which  withereth  afore  it  groweth  up." 

Hearing  the  usual  cry  of  the  muezzin,  at  sunset,  and  not  hav 
ing  noticed  a  mosque  in  the  little  rude  village,  we  look  out,  and 
see  him  standing  on  a  roof  near  by,  where  the  people  are  col 
lecting  for  worship.  They  come  from  adjoining  roofs  by  means 
of  an  inclined  plane,  or  from  below,  by  climbing  a  rough  ladder. 
When  the  "  Imaum,"  or  priest,  arrives,  the  evening  service 
begins,  and  all  unite  in  the  act  of  devotion.  It  is  a  novel 
sight.  We  watch  with  interest  the  simultaneous  bowings, 
kneelings,  and  final  prostrations  of  the  body  toward  Mecca; 
and  afterward  listen  to  the  explosive  responses,  the  deep 
"  AMIN  !"  which  every  now  and  then  bursts  from  the  motley 
congregation  of  men  and  boys  as  the  priest  rapidly  proceeds 
with  his  discourse.  As  soon  as  the  service  is  ended,  they 
scamper  off  like  so  many  school-boys  let  loose ;  and  we  laugh 
to  see  them  going  their  several  ways,  clambering  up  and  crowd 
ing  down  in  various  attitudes. 

FO  UR  TEE  NTH  DA  Y. 

Our  next  station,  "  Alijikhan,"  is  said  to  be  nine  hours 
distant.  The  road  lies  over  rocks  and  mountains,  and  a  cold, 
piercing  wind  prevails  during  the  day,  which  makes  riding  very 
hard.  After  a  few  hours  a  heavy  rain  adds  to  our  discomfort, 
and  the  wind  increases  till  it  is  like  a  terrific  gale  at  sea.  We 

17* 


394  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

bend  our  heads  to  many  a  furious  blast,  which  howls  in  our 
"rigging"  of  rubber  cloaks,  and  almost  takes  away  our  breath. 
My  gentle  "  Gray,"  a  pony  purchased  at  Sivas  for  the  journey, 
cannot  endure  this  constant  battling  with  the  storm,  and,  when 
it  reaches  its  height,  at  the  summit  of  a  mountain,  he  resolutely 
turns  about  and  refuses  to  face  such  music  !  In  vain  I  urge  him 
on  ;  he  is  impervious  to  any  appeal  of  the  whip  or  other  forceful 
argument,  and  stands  "stock-still,"  while  the  rest  of  the  party, 
unconscious  of  the  dilemma,  are  fast  vanishing  from  sight.  The 
situation  is  really  becoming  dangerous,  for  the  way  may  be 
lost;  and,  as  a  last  resort,  I  try  "moral  suasion,"  putting  my 
head  down  by  pony's  ears,  and  stating  the  case,  with  many  kind 
pattings  and  soothing  words.  This  works  like  a  charm  !  he 
immediately  turns  and  commences  the  steep  descent,  and  ere 
long,  the  other  horses  are  seen  in  the  distance. 

The  rain  pours  faster  and  faster,  and,  towards  evening,  wet, 
cold,  hungry,  and  nervously  exhausted,  we  stop  at  a  wretched 
village.  We  are  shown  a  room  from  which  the  family  have  just 
been  ousted  by  their  "  lord  and  master  "  for  the  sake  of  a  few 
piastres.  The  entrance  is  so  dark  that  we  can  see  nothing, 
and,  after  groping  about  a  little,  stand  still,  and  call  for  a  guide 
and  a  light.  It  is  a  narrow,  filthy  place,  and  the  air  is  thick 
with  impurity  from  the  stable,  into  which  the  door  opens.  But 
we  are  very  thankful  for  even  this  shelter  from  the  storm.  Our 
damp  outer  garments  are  strung  around  the  room,  and  we  hover 
over  the  smoky  fire,  sipping  our  tea  and  trying  to  look  cheerful. 

It  is  a  night  of  troubled  tossings.  In  the  darkness,  certain  soft, 
crawling  creatures  are  dashed  against  the  wall  with  a  feeling 
of  desperation  !  What  they  are  we  know  not,  nor  care  to  know. 

It  is  a  good  place  to  go  from  ;  and,  oh,  how  we  revel  in  the 
pure  mountain  breezes  when  once  more  on  our  way  ! 


HARPOOT.  395 


FIFTEENTH  DA  Y. 

"  To  Hassan-Chilibe — six  hours;"  says  the  genial  muleteer 
exchanged  for  the  Turkish  guard  at  Deliklitash.  When  we 
approach  the  place  he  rides  on  in  advance  and  secures  a  good, 
almost  new  room  for  us  in  a  private  house,  where  we  spend  a 
Sabbath  of  rest.  Sarkis  buys  a  tender  lamb  of  a  villager,  and 
has  ample  time  to  prepare  food  sufficient  for  several  days.  We 
are  all  so  thoroughly  exhausted  by  the  continued  strain  of  the 
last  few  days,  that  we  conclude  to  stay  in  our  clean,  airy  quar 
ters  over  Monday.  It  is  sweet  to  think  and  speak  of  the 
"  Lord  of  the  way,"  who  has  provided  such  entertainment  and 
rest  for  His  weary  pilgrims.  We  read,  and  sing,  and  worship 
in  this  secluded  corner  of  the  earth,  far  away  from  any  temple 
dedicated  to  our  God ;  but  His  presence  fills  our  souls  with 
unspeakable  peace. 

''To  us  remains  nor  place  nor  time, 
Our  country  is  in  every  clime  ; 
We  can  be  calm  and  free  from  care 
On  any  shore,  since  God  is  there." 

Finding  that  our  Koordish  host  can  read,  Mr.  Dodd  presents 
him  with  a  copy  of  the  Gospels  and  Acts,  in  Arabo-Turkish,  and 
he  at  once  seats  himself  in  the  doorway  and  reads  aloud  for  a 
long  time,  Sarkis  explaining  in  a  very  simple  manner.  The 
family  are  very  quiet  and  do  not  intrude,  but  welcome  us  when 
we  ask  permission  to  come  in  and  see  them  at  their  work  in 
the  large,  low,  rough-looking  room  at  one  end  of  the  house. 

There  is  an  opening  in  the  centre  of  the  roof  to  let  in  the 
light  and  let  out  the  smoke  which  has  so  darkened  the  great 
rafters.  Under  this  aperture  sits  the  "house-mother"  baking 
bread.  Near  her  is  a  vessel  of  coals  covered  by  a  flat  sheet  of 


396  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


iron.  She  rolls  out  the  dough  in  thin  cakes  about  the  size  of  a 
common  breakfast-plate,  and  with  a  quick  motion  deposits  it 
upon  the  heated  iron.  It  is  soon  browned,  and,  \vich  a  wooden 
spade,  she  slaps  it  upon  the  huge  pile  beside  her  on  the  bare 
earth  floor.  This  bread  is  unleavened,  coarse,  dark,  and 
gritty.  We  are  very  politely  presented  with  several  cakes  and 
urged  to  eat  ;  and,  really,  it  is  quite  sweet  and  not  at  all 
unpalatable.  These  people  are  more  cleanly  than  any  villagers 
we  have  yet  seen.  A  married  daughter  is  busily  employed  at 
a  large  carpet-loom,  and  we  watch  the  slow  and  simple  process 
of  forming  the  singular  figures  of  the  thick  Koordish  rugs  and 
carpets.  Close  by  sits  the  aged  grandmother,  with  distaff  and 
spindle,  and  one  of  the  older  children  is  winding  yarn  upon  a 
clumsy  reel.  We  cannot  converse  with  these  women  with  any 
freedom,  for  their  stock  of  Armenian  words  is  very  limited  ;  but 
they  seem  much  pleased  with  our  call,  and  are  wonderfully 
delighted  with  the  picture  in  a  book  which  we  are  reading, — 
the  memoir  of  "  Susan  Underwood,"  by  Mrs.  Dr.  Anderson. 
While  their  heads  are  bent  over  the  book  which  is  to  them  such 
a  curiosity,  we  notice  the  singular  workmanship  of  their 
ornaments, — necklaces,  beads,  and  heavy  bracelets  of  gold  and 
silver — and  long  to  tell  them  of  treasures  to  be  laid  up  in 
Heaven,  and  ornaments  of  priceless  worth. 

Hearing  a  peculiar  sound  as  we  pass  out  of  the  door,  we 
look  up,  and  see  upon  a  neighboring  "  housetop  "  "  two  women 
grinding  at  the  mill." 

EIGHTEENTH  DA  V. 

It  is  the  3d  of  May.  We  again  set  forth  upon  our  wind 
ing  way ;  the  morning  is  pleasant,  though  somewhat  cloudy, 
and  the  road  very  uneven  ;  now  we  are  climbing  rocks,  and 


HARPOOT.  397 


now  descending  through  narrow  mountain  passes,  frequently 
meeting  trains  of  camels,  mules,  and  donkeys. 

The  mountain  scenery  of  this  region  is  truly  magnificent. 
There  are  grand  gorges  and  chasms,  vast  rents  in  these  ada 
mantine  walls,  as  if  some  mighty  hand  had  torn  them  apart, 
and  made  a  path-way  for  the  roaring  cataracts  and  foaming 
torrents  which  pour  through  them ;  reminding  one  of  the 
sublime  words  of  Habakuk,  "  He  stood,  and  measured  the 
earth  :  he  beheld,  and  drove  asunder  the  nations  :  and  the 
everlasting  mountains  were  scattered  ;  the  perpetual  hills  did 
bow  :  The  mountains  saw  Thee,  and  they  trembled  :  the 
overflowing  of  the  water  passed  by :  the  deep  uttered  His 
voice,  and  lifted  up  His  hands  on  high."  We  have  with  us  a 
foot-soldier  as  "  guide  and  guard,"  while  passing  through 
this  desolate  district,  where  bands  of  robbers  sometimes 
pounce  upon  unwary  travelers. 

After  emerging  from  these  wild  passes,  it  is  delightful  to 
come  again  upon  the  telegraph  wires ;  they  link  us  to  the 
great,  beating  heart  of  the  world  which  we  seem  to  have  left 
so  far  behind ;  and  a  sort  of  companionship  is  established 
between  us  ! 

The  night  is  spent  at  a  forsaken  "  Cafe  "  in  "  Hakim- 
Khan,"  which  we  reach  at  an  early  hour.  The  old  town 
seems  more  respectable  than  any  that  we  have  seen  since 
leaving  Sivas.  Our  wonder  is  often  excited  in  traveling 
through  this  desolate  and  unproductive  region,  with  Harpoot 
in  view,  that  there  should  be  any  possible  inducement  here 
for  men  to  build  a  city.  Yet  that  immense  old  Khan,  near 
by,  upon  whose  roof  a  donkey  is  leisurely  grazing,  tells  a 
story  of  by-gone  days,  when,  perhaps,  its  massive  wails  and 
lofty  arches  echoed  to  the  tread  of  stately  kings,  with  their 


398  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


retinues,  or  the  commanders  of  armies  who  have  feasted 
upon  their  spoils,  leaving  a  desolate  country  in  their  track. 
Over  the  great  door-way  is  an  inscription  in  Roman  and 
Arabic  characteis.  We  enter  the  vast  hall,  and  wander 
among  suites  of  desolate  rooms  with  their  broken  fountains, 
while  fancy  pictures  the  stern  knights  of  olden  time,  in  their 
helmets  and  coats  of  mail ;  or  gay  cavaliers,  who  may  here 
have  laid  aside  their  armor  and  given  themselves  to  conviv 
ial  pleasures  for  a  season. 

We  saunter  to  an  open  space  on  the  outskirts  of  the  town, 
and  are  scarcely  seated  beneath  the  trees,  when  a  number 
of  Rebekahs  and  Rachels,  who  are  going  to,  or  coming  from 
the  public  well,  with  their  pitchers  on  their  heads  or  shoul 
ders,  pause  on  their  way,  and  soon  draw  near  to  see  the 
strangers.  One  of  these  bronzed  maidens  has  a  large  ring  in 
her  nose  ;  it  is  the  first  nose  jewel  that  we  have  seen  in  Turkey. 
They  are  particularly  interested  in  comparing  the  whiteness 
of  our  hands  with  their  own,  and  their  simplicity  is  very 
child-like :  Gloves  are  entirely  new  to  them,  and  cause  many 
exclamations  of  surprise  as  they  curiously  gaze  and  chatter. 

We  find  that  the  "old  inhabitants  of  the  land"  have  un 
disputed  possession  of  the  two  narrow  shelves,  or  platforms, 
where  we  bestow  ourselves  for  the  night,  and  "  flea- 
powder  "  is  brought  into  abundant  requisition  ;  a  modern  in 
vention  which  they  despise,  and  too  often  disregard!  But 
again  we  sing :  "  Our  bondage  here  will  end,  by-and-by, 
by-and-by  !" 

Mountains,  mountains  everywhere !  If  we  did  not 
know  the  part  that  they  have  to  perform  in  equalizing  the 
temperature  of  the  earth's  surface,  etc.,  etc.,  we  should 
be  tempted  to  say,  "  What  a  waste!"  Descending  one  of 


HARPOOT.  399 


these  lofty  heights,  we  see  a  train  of  camels  slowly  passing 
around  the  summit  of  another  which  lies  in  our  route.  The 
rocky  path  seems  but  a  narrow  line,  and  those  who  are  at 
the  highest  point,  appear  to  be  treading  in  the  air.  We  wait 
for  the  caravan,  rejoicing  that  we  are  not  fated  to  meet 
where  neither  train  could  find  sufficient  footing  to  allow 
the  other  to  pass,  or  even  to  turn  and  retrace  their  steps  ! 
The  very  thought  of  such  a  collision  shakes  our  nerves. 

Reaching  "  Argawan  "  at  dusk,  we  find  a  good  place, 
a  comfortable  room,  and  are  chatting  over  our  tea  about 
the  probable  perplexity  of  the  friends  at  Harpoot  re 
specting  our  movements,  when  Mr.  H.  N.  Barnum  walks  in, 
giving  us  a  delightful  surprise !  He  has  brought  pleasant 
notes  from  the  missionary  sisters,  and  fresh  supplies  for  our 
empty  larder ;  and  his  advent  makes  us  feel  that  our  long 
and  wearisome  journey  is  indeed  drawing  to  a  close. 

T  WEN  TIE  TH  DA  Y—  THE   E  UPHRA  TE  S. 

In  leaving  Argawan,  we  for  the  first  time  see  women 
churning  .butter  in  a  goat-skin,  with  the  hairy  side  turned 
in.  It  is  suspended  between  two  poles,  and  is  pushed  back 
and  forth  by  each  woman  in  turn,  very  much  like  a  child  in 
a  swing. 

We  are  but  well  on  our  way,  when  a  new  experience 
befalls  us;  Mr.  Dodd  yields  to  the  kind  persuasion  of 
the  brother  who  has  joined  us,  to  try  a  new  horse, — which 
resents  the  exchange,  and  throws  him  and  his  saddle-bags 
high  in  the  air,  and  dashing  furiously  into  a  pond  near  by, 
speeds  away  like  the  wind,  through  the  fields  beyond ! 
When  he  is  finally  caught,  there  is  a  general  state  of  insub 
ordination  among  the  other  horses ;  and  mine  deliberately 


400  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

lies  down  and  rolls  over,  pinning  me,  for  a  moment,  to  the 
ground,  in  dangerous  proximity  to  the  prancing  steeds. 
Truly,  "ahorse  is  a  vain  thing  for  safety."  All  are  again 
mounted,  after  this  little  episode,  when  a  storm  of  hail  beats 
about  our  heads,  followed  by  rain.  It  is  hard  riding  over 
some  of  the  rough  places  where  we  cannot  walk.  During  our 
luncheon,  in  a  wild,  romantic  spot,  the  gentlemen  are  obliged 
to  hold  their  horses,  lest  another  outbreak  should  occur. 

We  are  passing  over  a  high  bluff  at  half-past  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  when  lo !  at  our  feet,  a  swift-rolling,  tur 
bid,  yellow  stream,  with  steep  banks  rising  on  the  opposite 
shore!  It  is  the  Euphrates — "that  Great  River" — along 
whose  flowery  path  our  first  parents  strayed  in  the  happy 
days  of  primeval  innocence.  How  changed  the  face  of 
nature  since  that  blissful  time !  It  oppresses  one  with  a 
feeling  of  sadness  akin  to  that  of  the  captives  who  hung 
their  harps  upon  the  willows  which  shaded  its  banks  in  far 
away  Babylon,  and  sat  down  to  weep,  saying,  "  How  shall 
we  sing  the  Lord's  song  in  a  strange  land?"  The  river  has 
evidently  receded  from  its  bed ;  it  is  not  more  than  a  quar 
ter  of  a  mile  wide  at  this  point,  and  the  shore  is  so  devoid 
of  vegetation,  that  one  can  scarcely  find  a  leaf  or  flower 
worthy  of  preservation  as  a  memento. 

The  rude  ferry-boat  now  touches  the  land,  and  we  scram 
ble  in;  the  higher  .order  of  creation  taking  possession  of  a 
narrow  elevation  at  the  upper  end,  while  the  lower  order, 
in  the  shape  of  horses,  mules,  donkeys,  etc.,  fill  the  larger 
space  within  the  clumsy  old  "scow."  The  men  push  off 
with  their  long  poles,  and  it  is  slowly  worked  across  the 
rushing,  muddy  current. 

We  are  all  safely  landed,  scale  the  steep  ascent,  and  pass 


iiARrooT.  401 


through  a  quaint,  yet  pleasant  place  called  "  Gaban  Maden," 
where  vegetation  is  rank,  and  trees  are  very  abundant.  A  help 
er  is  stationed  here,  at  whose  house  we  spend  the  night.  While 
we  are  resting,  Mr.  Richardson,  of  Arabkir,  makes  his  ap 
pearance,  giving  us  another  pleasant  surprise.  Maden  is  one 
of  his  out-stations,  and  he  has  come  to  meet  us,  and  look 
after  it.  Mr.  Barnum  is  now  holding  an  evening  service  in 
the  humble  chapel.  We  find  that  the  helper's  wife,  who  was 
for  eight  months  in  the  school  at  Harpoot,  has  twenty  pu 
pils,  whom  she  teaches  three  days  each  week.  After  some 
conversation  with  her  and  a  few  Protestant  women  who  have 
called  to  see  us,  we  partake  of  a  simple  supper,  followed  by 
evening  worship,  when  we  join  in  singing,  "  Thus  far  the 
Lord  hath  led  me  on,"  and  raise  another  "  Ebenezer "  to 
His  praise.  Our  good  host  and  hostess  are  very  kind,  but 
evidently  somewhat  puzzled  to  provide  lodgings  for  so 
many  guests ;  and  they  have  sent  out  to  borrow  some  beds 
of  their  neighbors !  We  seem  to  have  come  into  another 
climate ;  it  is  so  warm  that  most  of  our  party  prefer  sleeping 
in  the  open  air,  where,  however,  they  fall  an  easy  prey  to 
the  gnats  and  sand-flies,  who  have  already  commenced  their 
Summer  carnival. 

THE  TWENTY-FIRST,  AND  LAST  DA  Y. 
It  is  now  Friday,  the  6th  of  May,  and  the  last  day  of  our 
journey !  We  start  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  and 
passing  out  of  the  town,  are  soon  clattering  over  the  atrocious 
"  Turkish  pavement,"  on  a  side-hill,  above  the  rapid  stream 
at  our  right.  Here  we  meet "  Asiz  Pasha,"  with  his  harem  and 
train  of  attendants.  There  are  three  "moffahs,"  (covered  boxes, 
with  seats,  swung  over  a  horse's  back,)  for  the  favored  beau- 


402  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

ties,  and  the  rest  are  carefully  veiled,  and  mounted  on  horses 
or  mules.  The  stones  of  the  pavement  are  broad,  and  worn 
so  smooth,  that  our  horses  are  constantly  slipping,  and  one  of 
them  falls ;  it  is  hardly  safe  to  ride,  and  yet  we  can  scarcely 
maintain  our  own  footing,  and  might  easily  be  precipitated  into 
the  roaring  current  below  !  My  horse  has  lost  one  of  his  shoes, 
and  the  other  makes  a  painful  clattering,  soon  following  its 
companion.  We  are  two  or  more  hours  in  passing  over 
this  part  of  the  road,  and  gladly  leave  it  to  enter  upon  the 
plain. 

It  is  a  long  day;  and  when,  at  last,  it  draws  to  a 
close,  and  the  lights  and  shadows  of  evening  begin  to  play 
over  hill,  and  vale,  and  mountain,  we  spy  our  Harpoot 
friends  watching  for  us  upon  the  summit  of  a  hill.  Mr. 
Wheeler  is  there  at  the  head  of  the  Girls'  School;  Mr. 
Allen  with  the  young  men  of  the  Seminary,  and  Mrs.  Allen 
and  Mrs.  Barnum,  mounted  on  white  donkeys : — Besides 
the  pastor  and  his  wife,  (one  of  my  former  pupils,)  and  a 
crowd  of  men,  women,  and  children  of  the  Sunday-School 
and  day-schools,  who  greet  us  with  a  joyous  song  of  wel 
come.  The  meeting  with  these  brothers  and  sisters  is  like 
a  home-reception  at  "  Thanksgiving  time  !  " 

Slowly,  slowly,  the  procession  winds  around  the  numerous 
hills,  over  a  narrow  road  built  by  the  students ; — with  here 
and  there  glimpses  of  the  vast  plain  which  stretches  a  thou 
sand  feet  below  the  barren,  rocky  heights  upon  which  the 
city  is  built,  and  the  snow  -  capped  mountains  beyond, 
which  enclose  that  "  GARDEN  OF  EDEN," — with  its  many 
villages  peeping  out  from  their  trees  and  vineyards ! — 
Gladly  we  turn  the  last  curve,  pass  the  Chapel  and  Seminary, 
around  the  corner  by  the  "  Barnum  cottage,"  and  into  the 


HARPOOT.  403 


court-yard  of  the  Konak,  where  we  meet  the  smiling 
face  of  Mrs.  Wheeler,  who  helps  us  up  the  steps  into  her 
cosy  parlor,  and  bids  us  "  WELCOME  TO  HARPOOT  !  " 

At  last,  we  have  reached  the  goal  of  our  hopes  :  the 
point  to  which  our  longing  eyes  have  been  directed  for 
nearly  three  weeks !  It  now  seems  to  me  that  I  shall  be 
compelled  to  stay  here  the  rest  of  my  days ;  that  nothing 
would  tempt  me  to  retrace  the  weary  way,  especially  that 
climax  of  slipping,  and  straining  of  nerves  and  muscles,  in 
the  fearful  road  by  Maden.  It  is  an  aggravation  to  think 
that  the  distance  of  350  or  400  miles,  which  we  have 
traversed,  as  it  were  by  inches,  could  easily  have  been  ac 
complished  by  rail  within  twenty-four  hours  !  That,  had 
the  Turks  a  spark  of  modern  enterprise,  there  might  be  a 
railway  direct  from  Trebizond,  a  distance  of  175  miles,  and 
the  entire  journey  from  Constantinople  would  require  but 
from  three  to  four  days  ! 


CHAPTER    XL 

EDEN. 

E  are  recovering  from  the  reaction  which  invariably 
follows  a  prolonged  period  of  travel  in  this  country, 
and  the  excitement  consequent  upon  finding  our 
selves  in  a  strange  place,  amid  new  surroundings.  It  is  not 
easy  for  some  natures  to  transplant  their  interests  and  affec 
tions  ;  and  as  we  look  out  upon  this  dingy,  treeless  city 
of  Harpoot,  where  houses,  walls,  and  streets  are  of  one 
uniform  clay-color,  our  thoughts  lovingly  and  yearningly 
turn  toward  the  green  shades  of  Marsovan  ;  and  the  dreary 
prospect  before  us  sends  momentary  tides  of  desolation 
through  the  heart.  But  we  ascend  to  a  higher  plane  of 
vision,  standing  upon  the  flat-roof  of  the  konak,  and  look 
ing  southward,  beyond  our  immediate  surroundings,  upon  a 
smiling  plain  a  thousand  feet  below,  which  extends  a  distance 
of  60  miles  from  East  to  West,  dotted  all  over  with  towns  and 
villages,  and  encircled  by  magnificent  mountain  ranges,  whose 
snow-crowned  summits,  sixty  miles  away,  tower  above  their  less 
stately  neighbors.  A  lovely  lake,  like  that  of  Galilee,  sleeps 
within  their  embrace;  a  branch  of  the  Euphrates  curves 
its  gleaming  arm  around  this  wondrous  mosaic  of  emerald 
and  agate,  carnelian  and  onyx,  with  the  golden  sunlight 
resting  upon  embowered  villages,  of  which  we  count 
(404) 


EDEN.  405 


twenty-five  without,  and  fifty  with  the  aid  of  a  glass, 
their  beaten  paths  crossing  and  recrossing  the  plain,  in 
every  direction. 

It  may  indeed  have  been,  as  the  people  say,  "  the  very 
Garden  of  Eden,"  where  Adam  and  Eve  together  watched  the 
opening  of  blushing  flowers  and  the  ripening  of  luscious  fruits, 
after  the  marriage  ceremony — "  the  crowning,"  as  the  Orientals 
call  it — had  been  performed ;  for,  "  in  the  day  that  God 
created  man — male  and  female  created  He  them,  and  BLESSED 
THEM,  and  CALLED  THEIR  NAME  ADAM."  Here,  perhaps,  they 
plucked  and  ate  the  forbidden  fruit,  whose  prolific  seeds  have 
borne  bitter  harvest  all  over  the  face  of  the  wide,  wide  world  ! 

And  this  lost  Paradise,  so  long  trodden  under  foot  by  the 
Destroyer,  "  her  hedges  broken  down,  so  that  all  they  which  pass 
by  the  way  do  pluck  her,  wasted  by  the  boar  out  of  the  wood,  and 
devoured  by  the  wild  beast  of  the  field  :" — This  vineyard, 
planted  "eastward" — by  God's  "right  hand" — at  the  opening 
of  man's  history — ("  a  river  went  out  to  water  it ;"  and  from 
thence  it  was  parted  and  became  four  heads  ;  and  the  fourth 
river  is  "  Euphrates  :") — This  long-deserted  Garden  is  to  be 
"regained"  for  the  "second  Adam,"  and  made  to  "blossom 
as  the  rose  ;"  to  "  blossom  abundantly,  and  rejoice  even  with  joy 
and  singing ;  the  glory  of  Lebanon  shall  be  given  unto  it,  the 
excellency  of  Carmel  and  Sharon ;  and  the  REDEEMED  shall 
walk  there." 

It  is  a  grand,  an  inspiring  outlook.  Descending  from  this 
elevation,  which  has  so  quickened  our  faith  and  zeal,  we  enter 
the  school-room,  where  fifteen  boarders  and  fifteen  day  pupils, 
with  the  wives  of  the  students,  are  gathered  in  what  was  once 
a  great  stable  underneath  the  main  building.  Here  is  our 
work, — a  garden  of  God's  own  planting  ;  vines  to  be  trained  for 


406  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

a  harvest  of  "  much  fruit  "  and  perpetual  self-propagation.  Mr. 
Wheeler  introduces  Miss  Fritcher  and  myself  to  our  new 
pupils,  and  their  smiling  faces  express  unfeigned  gladness. 
Elbice,  the  assistant  teacher,  was  my  pupil  in  Constantinople, 
and  she  gives  me  a  special  welcome.  We  are  shown  the  five 
or  six  small  lodging-rooms  opening  from  a  corridor  leading  to 
the  school-garden  ;  and,  at  the  end  by  which  we  entered,  the 
little  dining-room,  with  the  assistant  teacher's  sleeping  closet 
opening  from  it,  and  the  kitchen  adjoining.  This  latter  part  is 
all  new,  built  beneath  the  little  parlor  and  bedroom  prepared 
for  the  missionary  teacher,  with  a  flight  of  stairs  leading  from 
the  narrow  passage  to  her  door. 

The  konak  is  a  large,  substantial  native  house,  mostly 
built  against  a  side-hill,  and  facing  the  south,  with  an  enclosure 
on  the  west  containing  a  pleasant  terrace,  and  the  school  play 
ground  below  ;  the  cottage  occupied  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnum 
standing  at  its  extremity,  on  the  lower  street,  and  the  stable 
between  the  two.  The  place  was  purchased  some  years  ago  of 
an  Armenian  merchant  who  had  failed  in  business,  and  was  glad 
to  dispose  of  it  for  a  merely  nominal  sum  to  Mr.  Dunmore,  who 
first  selected  Harpoot  as  a  centre  of  missionary  operations,  and 
laid  the  early  foundation  of  the  work  in  this  region.  Its  situa 
tion,  at  one  extremity  of  the  city,  is  in  many  respects  very 
advantageous.  Opening  a  little  gate  at  the  end  of  the  terrace 
next  the  "  sacred  corner,"  hallowed  -by  those  who  have 
"  fallen  asleep,"  we  pass  through  the  grounds  surrounding 
the  neat-looking  chapel,  and  find  in  its  large,  airy,  upper 
roonis,  a  company  of  twenty  or  thirty  students,  mostly  of  ma 
ture  years,  gathered  from  various  parts  of  Armenia  and  Me 
sopotamia,  who  are  preparing  to  teach  the  gospel  to  their 
countrymen. 


EDEN.  407 


Mr.  Allen  is  the  principal  teacher,  though  Mr.  Barnum  and 
Mr.  Wheeler  each  share  to  some  extent  in  the  instruction  of 
certain  classes. 

From  the  Theological  Seminary  we  turn  to  another  and  quite 
important  class  of  this  community  of  perhaps  one  hundred  souls, 
centered  here  for  Christian  training.  The  row  of  humble  dwell 
ings  on  the  street  close  by,  are  mostly  occupied  by  the  married 
students  and  their  families,  while  they  are  under  missionary 
instruction.  In  one  of  these  rooms  a  number  of  simply  con 
structed  hammocks  are  swung  across  each  angle,  and  from  side 
to  side.  Every  hammock  contains  a  baby  ;  and  on  the  bits 
of  carpet,  and  scattered  cushions,  are  seated  the  one,  two, 
or  three-year-old  children,  attended  by  a  motherly  woman  and 
one  or  two  of  her  daughters.  This  is  the  "primary  depart 
ment  "  of  the  "  university." 

It  is  a  quarter  past  eight  in  the  morning.  The  chapel  bell* 
is  sounding  its  clear  tones  over  the  Harpoot  hills — the  signal 
for  the  pupils  of  both  schools  to  assemble  ;  and  from  the  house, 
top,  we  watch  them  as  they  begin  to  answer  the  summons. 
Some  of  the  mothers  are  hastening  to  deposit  their  infants  in 
the  general  nursery,  and  hurrying  off  the  older  children  to  the 
day-school;  while  others,  not  so  cumbered  with  care,  are  more 
leisurely  setting  forth.  The  city  girls  may  be  seen  ascending 
or  descending  some  steep  street,  and  here  and  there  joining 
their  companions.  A  group  of  women,  clad  in  their  native 
costume,  with  a  dark  kerchief  thrown  over  the  head  for  a  veil, 
draw  near,  some  studying  and  others  knitting  by  the  way. 

Half-past  eight  o'clock.  The  outer  door  is  now  closed,  ami 
the  tardy  ones  must  wait  in  the  court-yard  till  after  prayers.  All 


*  Which  is  simply  a  bar  of  steel,  suspended  above  the  chapel  roof, 
and  struck  by  a  mallet. 


408  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

are  in  their  seats,  with  the  open  Bible  lying  on  the  desks  before 
them.  We  enter.  They  rise  and  respond  to  our  morning 
salutation.  A  portion  of  Scripture  is  read,  in  turn,  followed 
by  a  brief  comment  and  personal  application  of  its  truths  ;  and, 
after  a  song  of  praise,  we  bow  around  the  Mercy-Seat  to  ask 
the  Spirit's  guidance  and  the  Father's  blessing  for  the  new 
day. 

Twenty  minutes  have  passed,  and  at  the  stroke  of  the  bell, 
the  various  primary  classes  file  off,  right  and  left,  with  mili 
tary  precision,  to  their  recitation-rooms,  and  the  first  class 
seat  themselves  in  a  row,  on  the  floor,  in  front  of  the  table, 
for  a  Bible  lesson.  Recitations  in  arithmetic,  geography, 
grammar,  reading  and  spelling,  fill  up  the  morning  hours, 
with  a  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  recess,  when  the  mothers  go  to 
the  "  Nursery  "  to  look  after  their  little  ones :  An  hour's 
intermission  takes  place  at  noon,  after  which  they  again 
assemble  :  A  general  exercise  in  writing,  followed  by  Jones's 
catechism,  and  a  little  astronomy  and  moral  science  for  those 
who  are  sufficiently  advanced,  varied  by  exercises  in  singing 
and  spelling,  fill  up  the  time  till  four  o'clock,  when  the  school 
closes  with  prayer,  and  the  women  hasten  home  to  prepare 
the  evening  meal  for  their  husbands  and  children.  Miss 
Fritcher  has  taken  charge  of  the  domestic  department,  and 
classes  in  arithmetic  and  geography,  while  perfecting  her 
knowledge  of  Armenian,  and  I  assume  the  religious  instruc 
tion,  and  general  discipline  of  the  school. 

SA  NI TA  R  Y  S  URR  0  UN  DINGS. 

Spring  has  advanced  into  Summer,  and  the  chilling  rains 
of  May,  which  came  in  almost  regular  succession  every  after 
noon,  have  given  place  to  warm  breezes  and  unclouded  sun- 


EDEN.  409 


shine.  The  people  now  sleep  at  night  upon  their  flat  roofs ; 
and  it  is  quite  interesting,  sometimes  amusing,  to  note  the 
unique  arrangements  of  the  various  families  dwelling  on  the 
slope  of  the  hill  below  us.  Occasionally  an  Armenian  who 
is  more  openly  zealous  for  the  faith  than  his  neighbors,  offers 
his  evening  prayers  upon  the  house-top,  so  loudly  that  all 
who  choose  may  hear  him,  a  type  of  the  self  satisfied  Phari 
see  of  olden  time. 

The  atmosphere  is  very  dry,  and  full  of  electricity ;  and  if 
only  the  people  of  this  city  understood  and  applied  sanitary 
principles  to  their  surroundings,  Harpoot  might  be  one  of 
the  most  healthful  towns  in  all  the  East :  Its  situation 
—  so  high  above  the  level  of  the  plain  —  is  admirably 
adapted  for  such  regulations;  but  the  great  want  of  the 
place  is  water,  and  when  a  sweet  shower  softly  distils  its 
blessed  dews,  instead  of  the  fragrant  incense  ascending  to 
heaven  from  springing  grass  and  grateful  herb,  the  air  is 
filled  with  noisome  exhalations  from  open  and  stagnant 
sewers,  reeking  with  long-time  accumulation  of  filth !  The 
narrow  pipes — almost  impossible  to  cleanse — extending  far 
underneath  this  old  house,  add  their  full  quantum  within,  to 
the  vile  odors  without,  when  summer  heat  is  at  its  height ; 
and  there  is  no  escape  from  the  slow  poison,  which  will  sure 
ly  make  itself  felt  at  no  distant  day,  in  undermining  the 
physical  system  of  those  who,  sleeping  or  waking,  inhale  it 
with  every  breath.  This,  however,  is,  to  a  greater  or  less  ex 
tent,  the  case  with  almost  all  of  the  houses  occupied  by  mis 
sionaries  in  Turkey;  and  it  undoubtedly  has  much  to  do 
with  the  failure  of  health. 

If  Marsovan  is  famous  as  the  "  capital  of  fleadom,"  surely 
Harpoot  is  entitled  to  equal  celebrity,  for  their  renowned  con- 
i8 


410  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


freres — the  UB  flats  " — have  here  taken  up  their  seat  of  em 
pire  !  and  when  sand-flies,  gnats,  and  mosquitoes,  to  say 
nothing  of  an  occasional  scorpion  or  centipede,  are  added  to 
the  fraternity  of  plagues,  on  these  suffocating  Summer 
nights,  sleep  is  a  very  difficult,  if  not  impossible  task  to  sen 
sitive  mortals !  The  rooms  below  were  first  occupied  by  the 
students  of  the  Seminary,  who  now  rejoice  in  their  more  airy 
and  healthful  quarters  above  the  chapel,  where  they  catch 
every  breeze  that  sweeps  over  the  hill-country  beyond,  and 
enjoy  a  fine  and  extensive  view  of  sky  and  mountain 
scenery.  Our  school  -  room  is  spacious,  and  somewhat 
chapel-like,  with  its  two  substantial  pillars  in  the  centre, 
its  neatly  white-washed  walls,  with  a  space  colored  black, 
extending  around  the  sides,  to  serve  for  various  crayon  ex 
ercises,  its  ceiling  of  uneven  rafters, — the  trunks  of  trees 
from  which  the  bark  was  simply  peeled, — good  board  floor 
and  comfortable  chairs  and  desks ;  but  its  low  position,  and 
small,  high  windows  at  one  side,  opening  upon  a  close,  nar 
row  street,  shut  in  from  the  breezes  by  a  wall  of  houses  op 
posite,  affords  very  small  chance  for  free  ventilation.  We  open 
the  door  into  the  court-yard  in  front,  but  that  is  surrounded 
"by  a  high  wall  and  the  "  door  of  the  gate  "  kept  closed  ;  and 
the  door  at  the  end  of  the  corridor  opposite,  leading  into  the 
little  play-ground,  but  that  is  bounded  by  the  stable  !  And 
with  such  a  company  to  occupy  the  room  during  the  hottest 
part  of  the  day,  it  is  no  wonder  if  the  air  is,  at  times,  almost 
stifling,  especially  to  one  who  returns  to  it  after  a  little 
absence  in  the  upper  regions!  It  becomes  very  evident  that 
my  health  will  not  long  endure  this  heavy  atmosphere;  and 
noticing  how  it  overcomes  with  drowsiness  the  women  who 
are  unaccustomed  to  the  confinement  of  a  sedentary  life,  I 


EDEN.  411 


frequently  send  them  out  to  shake  themselves,  Samson-like, 
and  recover  strength  ! 

A   FREE  LECTURE   ON  CLEANLINESS. 

So  it  comes  about  that  on  one  of  the  Wednesday  after 
noons  appropriated  to  general  exercises,  I  arm  myself  with  a 
pair  of  bellows,  for  illustration,  and  propose  a  plain  and 
simple  lecture  on  the  air,  and  the  office  of  the  lungs,  intend 
ing  to  wind  up  with  a  practical  lesson  on  personal  cleanliness. 

This  is  something  new ;  curiosity  is  aroused,  and  the 
women  are  now  all  wide  -  awake.  I  must  simplify  and 
illustrate  as  to  children,  for  many  of  them  were  perfectly  ig 
norant  when  admitted  to  the  school ;  some  of  them  are  con 
siderably  older  than  myself;  one  is  the  mother  of  twelve 
children,  and  one  is  a  grandmother!  Their  husbands  were 
selected  because  of  their  fitness  for  the  ministry,  but  the 
wives  had  to  be  taken  just  as  they  were,  whatever  the  mate 
rial  ;  and  we  must  make  the  most  of  it,  that  they  may  be  true 
help-mates  to  their  companions  when  placed  over  a  vineyard 
of  the  Lord.  Holding  up  the  bellows,  I  inquire  its  use  ;  and 
many  voices  answer,  "  To  keep  the  fire  going ;  to  make  the 
fire  burn  !"  "  Well,  now  I  am  going  to  tell  you  about  a  pair 
of  bellows  that  God  has  given  every  one  of  you  to  keep  the  fire 
of  life  burning  in  your  bodies."  I  find  that  some  of  the 
older  women  do  not  know  the  Armenian  word  for  lungs : 
But  after  puffing  the  air  with  the  bellows,  and  explaining 
how  we  take  it  in  and  give  it  out,  through  the  agency  of 
those  internal  organs,  they  seem  to  understand ;  and  I  pro 
ceed  to  speak  of  pure  air,  and  the  change  it  undergoes  after 
it  is  taken  into  the  human  system :  how  the  refuse — the 
spoiled  air — is  rejected,  for  a  fresh  supply  of  fuel  which  will 


412  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


bring  roses  to  the  cheeks,  brightness  to  the  eyes,  and  vigor 
to  the  brain. 

From  this  I  show  what  happens  when  the  pure  air  is  ex 
hausted,  in  a  poorly-ventilated  room,  or  church,  where  many 
people  are  gathered  for  an  hour  or  two  :  how  dull  and  heavy 
they  become,  because  all  the  good  air  is  used  up ;  and  since 
they  must  go  on  breathing,  are  compelled  to  take  in,  and  use 
over  again,  what  they  and  their  neighbors  have  already  re 
jected  !  No  \vonder  if  some  of  the  more  delicate  ones  go 
home  with  a  headache,  or  dizziness,  after  inhaling  such 
poison  !  "  What  would  you  think  of  putting  food  into  your 
mouth  which  another  had  masticated?"  Ugh  !  the  looks  of 
digust,  and  unmistakable  shrinking,  and  shrugging  of  shoul 
ders,  plainly  show  what  my  simple-minded  audience  think 
of  this  strong,  if  not  coarse  figure.  But  I  am  perfectly  will 
ing  to  disgust  them,  for  their  ultimate  good :  Inveterate 
diseases  require  strong  remedies.  I  next  speak  of  other  things 
that  render  the  air  impure :  the  habit,  so  common  among 
Orientals,  of  sleeping  in  the  clothing  worn  during  the  day, 
and  of  bathing,  and  combing  the  hair  but  once  a  fortnight, 
or  even  a  month  ! 

This  leads  to  a  talk  about  the  important  office  of  the  skin, 
with  its  millions  of  pores — minute  breathing-places;  and 
the  cleanliness,  so  essential  to  health  and  happiness ;  that 
our  Maker  has  given  us  a  faithful  sentinel  to  warn  us  of 
danger,  in  the  delicate  olfactory  nerves.  After  speaking  of 
the  absolute  necessity  of  a  purer  atmosphere  in  the  school 
room,  if  they  wish  me  to  stay  and  teach  them,  and  stating 
my  own  habits  in  this  regard,  I  propose  that  they  should 
take  a  sponge-bath,  and  also  comb  their  hair  every  day. 
Thus  far,  the  pupils,  especially  the  women,  have  listened 


EDEN.  413 


with  absorbing  interest :  but  now,  many  hands  are  raised, 
and  when  permission  to  speak  is  given,  one  and  another 
says,  *'  But  how  can  we  bathe,  when  we  have  but  one  room, 
and  all  the  family  sleep  there  ?"  "  To  be  sure ;  but  the  men 
first  rise  and  go  out,  do  they  not  ?  '  Where  there's  a  will, 
there's  a  way!'  Get  behind  the  door,  under  your  sheet; 
dip  your  towel  in  water,  and  half  wring  it  out,  apply  it  vig 
orously  for  two  or  three  minutes,  and  the  thing  is  done  ! 
And  if  you  go  to  the  public  bath  once  a  fortnight,  for  a  reg 
ular  soaking  and  steaming,  you  will  need  nothing  more  in 
that  line." 

"But  about  our  hair;  how  can  we  comb  it  every  day, 
when  it  takes  such  a  time  to  braid  it  ?"  "  I  suppose  you 
must  learn  to  do  without  so  many  fine  braids;  you  know 
what  the  Book  says,  'Not  with  plaited  hair;'  if  it  takes  so 
much  time,  and  interferes  with  higher  duties,  I  should  say 
that  it  must  give  way  to  a  simple  coil,  or  two  or  three  large 
braids  beneath  your  ordinary  head-dress."  This  seems 
rather  hard  ;  it  is  a  breaking  away  from  customs  handed  down 
from  time  immemorial,  and  they  look  sober  over  the  prospect ; 
but  I  proceed  to  expatiate  upon  cleanliness  of  clothing. 
Finding  that  very  few  have  sufficient  changes,  the  following 
plan  is  laid  before  them :  "  Lay  aside  at  night,  where  the 
air  will  play  upon  it,  as  much  as  possible  of  the  clothing 
worn  during  the  day;  if  you  have  but  two  suits,  change 
every  day,  exposing  to  the  sun  and  wind  that  which  has 
been  worn  one  day,  that  it  may  be  resumed  the  next,  ending 
on  Saturday — when  you  wear  your  cast-off  garments — with  a 
general  washing  of  the  whole  ;  removing  far  from  your  dwell 
ings  all  decaying  vegetable  and  animal  matter,  and  thor- 
•ughly  cleansing  your  rooms,  that  everything  may  be  sweet 


4H  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


and  pure  for  God's  eye  on  His  holy  day  :  You  may  optn 
your  Bibles  and  read  His  own  words  on  the  subject:  Dent, 
xxiii.  14  :  l  For  the  Lord  thy  God  walketh  in  the  midst  of 
thy  camp  to  deliver  thee :  therefore  shall  thy  camp  be  holy  : 
that  He  see  no  unclean  thing  in  thee  and  turn  away  from 
thee.'"  The  question  is  now  put,  "  Will  you  accept,  and 
carry  into  practice  these  simple  regulations?"  After  much 
hesitation,  and  many  doubts  expressed  by  the  women,  they 
all  agree  to  try  them  for  one  week.  .  .  .  The  trial  proves 
satisfactory,  and  when  put  to  vote,  the  "Rules  of  Cleanli 
ness  "  are  unanimously  adopted  by  the  school.  A  marked 
change  is  ere  long  effected  in  the  atmosphere  of  the  school 
room,  and  a  no  less  apparent  transformation  in  the  clearer 
complexions  and  brighter  eyes  of  our  pupils  who  are  learn 
ing  that  "  Cleanliness  is  next  to  Godliness." 

A  "  bodily  exercise  "  (which  profiteth  mitcJi)  is  now  added 
to  the  morning  programme,  somewhat  after  this  fashion  : 
"  Any  one  who  has  broken  the  l  Rules  of  Cleanliness  '  may- 
rise."  Ten  or  a  dozen  women  and  girls  are  on  their  feet: 
"What  have  you  done,  Mariam?"  "I  came  without  comb 
ing  my  hair."  "What  is  your  excuse?"  "  I  had  to  go  down 
to  the  fountain  for  water  many  times  this  morning,  and  my 
time  was  little."  "  Tahkoohi,  what  is  your  offense?"  "  My 
dress  had  a  rent  in  it."  "  Why  did  you  not  mend  it  ?"  "  I 
had  no  time."  "Well,  Sara,  what  have  you  to  say?"  "  My 
dress  appears  dirty;  it  is  faded,  and  will  not  look  clean!" 
"Anna,  which  rule  have  you  broken?"  "I  did  not  bathe 
this  morning!"  "Why  not?"  "Truly,  Varzhoohi,  it  was 
not  possible ;  we  lodged  in  one  of  the  villages  last  night,  and 
there  were  fifteen  or  twenty  others  who  slept  in  the  same 
room,  and  I  couldn't  find  a  corner  anywhere !"  This  excites 


EDEN.  415 


a  smile.  Another  says  that  her  stockings  were  not  mended, 
or  her  apron  was  soiled,  and  so  on:  And  after  a  few  words, 
suited  to  each  case,  the  examination,  which  ha-,  occupied 
ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  closes,  and  the  "  court  is  dismissed." 

Months  pass  away,  and  our  pupils  return  from  a  long  va 
cation.  When  I  inquire  whether  they  have  kept  up  the 
practice  of  daily  bathing,  etc.,  many  'of  them  say  with  much 
emphasis  :  "  We  could  not  get  along  without  it !  We  are  so 
much  stronger,  and  feel  so  much  better  for  it  in  every  way, 
that  we  just  kept  on  the  same  as  in  school-time!"  This  is 
very  pleasant ;  and  it  is  still  more  gratifying  when,  a  com 
mon  sentiment  being  established  in  the  school,  the  rules  can 
be  dropped,  and  the  pupils  thrown  upon  their  moral  re 
sponsibility.  Self-government,  in  this  particular,  really 
works  too  vigorously  for  the  comfort  of  new-comers, 
who  are  at  once  told,  by  pupils  more  zealous  than  wise, 
"  You  will  be  expected  to  comb  your  hair  and  bathe  every 
day,  in  this  school ;  and  no  one  comes  with  soiled  or  torn 
dress,  or  unmended  stockings  !"  etc.,  etc.,  quite  overwhelming 
the  poor  bodies  at  the  outset,  with  what,  to  themselves,  was 
a  gradual  revolution.  But  if  all  these  women  train  their 
children  in  these  healthful  habits,  and  by  their  example  and 
influence,  introduce  the  same  among  surrounding  families, 
what  a  blessed  thing  for  the  next  generation  ! 

VISITS  AMONG  THE  FAMILIES,  AND  HOME-SCENES. 
One  of  our  good,  simple-minded  women  has  been  absent 
from  school  for  a  few  days,  and  toward  evening  of  a  warm  Sum 
mer  day,  we  pay  her  a  visit.  We  find  her  lying  on  a  humble 
couch  spread  on  the  floor  in  the  scantily-furnished  apart 
ment,  and  by  her  side  a  queer  little  bundle,  looking  like  a 


THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


veritable  mummy.  On  inspection,  it  proves  to  be  "  number 
thirteen  !"  a  black-eyed,  dark-complexioned  boy-baby.  Five 
other  children  are  playing  about  the  room  ;  the  oldest  boy  is 
away,  and  six  of  the  original  twelve  have  died.  The  mother 
is  thirty-six  or  thirty-seven  years  of  age ;  her  husband  was  a 
useful  pioneer  among  the  villages,  before  receiving  any  special 
training  from  the  missionaries;  but  Mariam  was  considered 
exceedingly  stupid  and  indolent.  Her  mind  is  certainly  not 
very  strong,  but  it  has  wonderfully  waked  up  since  she  en 
tered  the  school.  Hovsep  says  that  when  the  babe  was  but  two 
days  old,  she  was  up  and  performed  an  example  in  arithme 
tic  upon  her  slate ;  and  that  she  would  have  been  back  again  in 
her  class  before  the  week  was  ended,  had  she  not  suffered 
from  an  attack  of  ague  and  fever  caused  by  eating  a  large, 
raw,  unpeeled  cucumber  !  On  our  way  home,  we  call  upon 
Teurfanda,  the  grandmother  among  our  pupils :  A  large, 
motherly-looking  woman,  of  perhaps  forty-two  years.  She  is 
briskly  at  work  in  her  tidy  house,  surrounded  by  her  well- 
ordered  and  interesting  family.  Both  husband  and  son  are 
in  the  Seminary,  the  former  having  been  for  years  a  helper. 
Teurfanda  finds  it  more  difficult  to  ascend  the  u  hill  of  sci 
ence," — even  far  enough  to  be  able  to  read  her  loved  Bible, 
— than  to  perform  any  amount  of  physical  labor ;  but  she 
prays,  and  perseveres,  stumbling  along  most  wofully  in  her 
combinations  of  the  thirty-eight  Armenian  letters,  but  yet 
pressing  onward,  and  learning  much  from  the  general  exer 
cises  of  the  school,  and  listening  to  recitations  in  which  she 
cannot  take  a  part. 

Descending  the  hill,  we  stop  at  a  house  where  t\vo  or  three 
families  have  each  a  room.  The  first  room  is  occupied  by  a 
couple  who  have  been  married  but  a  few  months.  The  hus- 


EDEN.  417 


band  is  in  the  senior  class  of  the  Seminary,  and  it  is  hoped 
will  prove  a  useful  minister  of  the  Word.  Shumon  is  a  fresh, 
comely  woman,  about  twenty-eight  years  of  age  ;  her  face  in 
dicates  character  and  intelligence.  We  esteem  her  one  of 
our  choicest  gems.  She  was  a  widow,  and  her  daughter, 
twelve  years  old,  is  one  of  our  boarders,  mother  and  child 
being  in  the  same  class.  The  desire  of  her  heart  has  been 
granted  in  coming  to  the  school,  and  it  is  delightful  to  see 
how  she  drinks  in  instruction  from  the  Word  of  God.  Her 
selfish,  grasping  relatives  stripped  her  of  all  her  household 
effects  when  she  married  a  Protestant,  taking  even  her 
personal  ornaments — in  defiance  of  the  law;  but  though 
left  so  destitute  of  worldly  goods,  her  room  almost  bare, 
but  perfectly  neat,  we  hear  not  one  complaint,  or  peti 
tion  for  aid,  only  the  overflowings  of  her  heart's  content. 
She  and  her  husband  are  truly  of  one  heart  and  one  mind ; 
and  referring  to  this,  in  the  fulness  and  simplicity  of  her 
soul,  she  says,  with  charming  modesty,  "  I  often  wonder  if 
ever  two  people  were  happier  than  we  !"  then,  as  if  fearing 
she  had  said  too  much,  a  blush  mounts  to  her  face,  and  she 
adds,  "  Of  course,  I  don't  mean  in  your  country,  but  in  this 
land,  among  our  countrymen  and  women  !"  It  is  a  most  re 
freshing  and  genuine  bit  of  the  poetry  of  life,  and  speaks 
volumes  for  the  elevating,  refining  power  of  a  living  Christian 
ity.  We  have  time  for  but  one  more  call.  As  we  enter  the 
door,  two  bright,  active  children  run  to  tell  mother  that  the 
teachers  have  come.  Elmas  leaves  her  cooking,  and  wel 
comes  us  with  a  beaming  face.  What  a  contrast  to  her  ap 
pearance  when  first  admitted  to  the  school !  Then  so 
coarse,  so  stupid,  and  utterly  ignorant,  that  she  seemed  but 
a  moving,  breathing  clod  of  clay,  beside  her  wide-awake,  in- 
1 8* 


418  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

telligent-looking  husband  ;  and  I  almost  queried  if  indeed  it 
enshrined  a  soul,  to  be  awaked  from  its  lethargy !  But  even 
learning  the  alphabet  appeared  to  inspire  her  with  self- 
respect,  and  raise  her  a  few  degrees  above  the  "  donkey 
race,"  as  women  are  termed  in  the  benighted  region  from 
which  she  came.  And  as  the  Summer  wore  away,  a  new 
light  began  to  play  over  her  face;  the  awakened  soul  shone 
from  the  eyes,  her  person  and  apparel  received  more  atten 
tion,  and  by-and-by,  when  she  came  attired  in  a  new  print 
dress,  to  attend  one  of  the  more  private  and  informal  exami 
nations  of  the  school,  her  fresh,  rosy  face  looked  wholesome,  if 
not  handsome,  and  many  marveled  at  the  change.  We  do  not 
expect  that  Elmas  will  acquire  much  more  of  book-learning 
than  the  ability  to  read  her  Bible,  write  her  husband  a  letter 
when  he  is  away  from  home,  and  keep  their  small  household 
accounts ;  but  even  this  much  will  cause  her  to  be  looked 
upon  by  the  women  of  her  native  village,  as  highly  educated  ; 
at  least  for  a  few  years,  until  the  standard  is  raised. 

Meanwhile,  her  mind  and  heart  are  constantly  expanding, 
and  her  conscience  becoming  enlightened  in  the  new  atmos 
phere  to  which  she  has  been  introduced  ;  and  we  trust  that 
an  enduring  Christian  character  is  being  slowly,  but  surely 
built  up,  through  the  invisible  teaching  of  the  Spirit  of  all 
truth. 

What  a  new  world  is  opened  to  such  an  one !  The  com 
monest  words  of  her  language  must  seem  instinct  with  a  life 
and  meaning  never  before  known  : — Wife,  husband,  mother, 
children,  love,  God,  heaven :  and  the  reality,  the  blessed  ex 
perience,  of  a  "  house  "  changed  to  a  "  home  /''*  Ah  !  it  must 


*  The  Eastern  languages  have  no  word  for  home,  because  they  lack 
the  thing  ! 


EDEN.  419 


indeed  seem  like  being  born  into  another  kingdom !  How 
does  mere  human  knowledge,  earthly  wisdom,  sink  in  com 
parison  with  that  "  from  above,"  which  produces  such  fruits 
in  the  heart  and  life.  Alas  !  for  those  born  and  reared  be 
neath  the  full  blaze  of  Christian  light  and  truth,  who  lightly 
esteem  this  heavenly  wisdom ;  who  have  "  forgotten  God, 
and  burned  incense  to  vanity;"  their  one  life  spent  in  min 
istry  to  self,  in  disappointed  dreams,  and 

"  Reveries  so  airy,  with  the  toil 
Of  dropping  buckets  into  empty  wells, 
And  growing  old  in  drawing  nothing  up." 

How  will  these  Armenian  women,  who  have  gladly  re 
ceived  but  the  crumbs  which  fall  from  the  Master's  table, 
**  rise  up  in  the  judgment  and  condemn  them !" 

SUMMER    TRIPS. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wheeler  and  Mr.  Barnum  attended  the  an 
nual  meeting  of  the  "  Eastern  Turkey  Mission,"  which  was 
held  in  Erzeroom.  They  returned  to  us  toward  the  close  of 
June,  after  a  hard  journey,  in  which  they  really  suffered 
for  want  of  food.  Bread  was  scarce,  and  poor,  and  so  coarse 
and  dark,  that  one  would  imagine  the  bit  they  kept  as  a 
specimen,  to  be  merely  a  piece  of  old,  smoky  plaster  ! 

They  were  accompanied  by  two  village  girls,  to  be  trained 
in  this  school  for  a  distant  Station.  But  these  fresh  candi 
dates  brought  with  them  so  much  of  "  animal  life,"  that  we 
were  almost  in  despair  at  the  sight :  their  hair  and  clothing 
fairly  swarmed  with  one  of  the  plagues  of  Egypt !  Of  course, 
they  were  at  once  sent  to  the  public  bath ;  but  that  did  not 
cure  the  evil,  and  unceasing  vigilance  was  required  on  our 
part,  to  keep  the  enemy  at  bay,  during  the  months  of  their 


420  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


stay  :  They  also  proved  very  deficient  in  moral  sense,  and 
finally,  after  much  patient  toil  had  been  bestowed  upon 
unfruitful  soil,  they  were  returned  to  their  homes. 

Both  schools  have  a  brief  vacation  in  mid-summer,  and  at 
its  commencement,  there  comes  an  urgent  invitation  from 
our  friends  at  Arabkir  to  attend  the  installation  of  a  former 
Harpoot  student,  over  the  church  in  that  city :  Mr.  Allen 
is  the  only  Missionary  who  can  leave,  and  Miss  F.  and  I, 
with  one  of  the  helpers,  accompany  him,  starting  on  Wednes 
day,  after  an  early  tea,  riding  two  hours  to  the  village  of 
Heulakegh,  where  we  spend  the  night.  The  missionaries 
have  here  a  "  little  chamber  on  the  wall,"  with  a  bed,  a  ta 
ble,  a  stool,  and  a  candlestick,  such  as  the  good  woman  of 
Shunem  prepared  for  the  prophet  Elisha :  And  whoever 
comes  to  spend  the  Sunday,  in  teaching  and  preaching,  will 
find  a  clean  and  quiet  corner.  We,  however,  decide  to 
sleep  upon  the  roof,  and  extra  beds  and  coverings  are  bor 
rowed  for  our  use.  But  the  fleas,  and  the  sand-flies — more 
tormenting  than  mosquitoes,  "who  say  grace  before  their 
meals  " — added  to  the  heavy  "  yorghan,"  or  "  comfortable," 
make  us  very  uncomfortable  !  And  the  novelty  of  the  po 
sition,  the  deep  blue  heavens  arching  over  us,  and  the  full- 
orbed  harvest  moon  sailing  in  stately  splendor  as  queen  of 
the  night,  can  scarcely  atone  for  these  discomforts,  and  we 
heartily  rejoice  when  the  first  rays  of  morning  gild  the  hori 
zon,  and  the  air  is  filled  with  the  household  chatter  of  in 
numerable  mother-birds  who  are  training  their  young  to  use 
their  wings.  We  prepare  our  tea,  boil  a  few  eggs,  and  with 
other  eatables  which  we  brought  with  us,  make  a  famous 
breakfast,  followed  by  "  family  worship,"  all  on  the  house 
top,  in  the  quiet  dawn.  Then,  mounting  our  horses,  we 


EDEN.  421 


sally  forth  for  the  day's  journey,  avoiding  the  worst  part  of 
it  as  we  approach  Gaban-Maden,  by  passing  through  a  ravine 
in  the  partially  dry  bed  of  the  stream,  which  we  cross  and 
recross  many  times.  We  stop  at  noon,  under  the  shade  of  a 
large  tree,  bathe  our  feet  in  the  rippling  water,  and  after 
partaking  of  a  luncheon,  enjoy  a  refreshing  sleep.  The 
night  is  spent  at  Maden,  and  in  the  morning  we  again  cross 
the  Euphrates.  The  heat  is  excessive,  and  we  long  for  a 
cooling  bath  in  the  sacred  river.  But  learning  that  none  of 
the  missionaries  have  ever  enjoyed  the  luxury,  we  put  away 
the  thought.  Our  good,  quiet  brother,  however,  intends  to 
gratify  the  desire,  and  when  we  are  safely  landed  on  the 
other  side,  he  slips  away  for  a  few  moments,  and  returning, 
informs  us  of  a  secluded  spot  beyond  the  rocks,  where  we 
may  safely  bathe,  kindly  offering  to  hold  our  horses  while  we 
are  gone,  and  charging  us  not  to  venture  too  far  into  the 
rapid  current.  We  provide  ourselves  with  the  necessary  ap 
parel,  and  soon  find  a  pleasant  cove  under  the  rocks.  And 
oh !  the  luxury  of  bathing  in  the  cool,  clear  water,  after  all 
the  uncomfortable,  steaming  heat  of  the  morning  !  We  revel 
in  it,  and  in  the  associations  connected  with  the  stream, 
wondering  whether  "  Mother  Eve "  enjoyed  it  any  more 
than  we  ;  and  how  she  arranged  her  dripping  tresses,  as  she 
bent  over  the  pure  current  that  mirrored  back  the  love 
liness,  which  we  cannot  help  wishing  had  been  bequeathed 
to  us — her  daughters !  Hastily  gathering  some  shining  peb 
bles,  as  mementoes  of  the  spot,  we  finish  our  toilet,  and  re 
turn  to  the  patient  brother,  feeling  almost  as  cystic  and 
rejuvenated,  as  if  we  had  indeed  bathed  in  the  "  fountain  of 
perpetual  youth  !"  We  find  no  trees  to  cast  a  grateful  shade 
over  our  pathway,  as  we  resume  our  journey  northward,  and 


422  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


realize  the  full  force  of  the  words  which  convey  so  much  to 
summer  travelers  in  this  country, — "  The  shadow  of  a  great 
rock  in  a  weary  land." 

At  mid-day  we  rest,  for  a  little,  by  a  wayside  fountain ; 
and  our  good  missionary  brother  makes  a  canopy  for  us  by 
extending  his  traveling  shawl  from  it,  to  a  pile  of  stones  which 
he  has  gathered  for  the  purpose ;  when  we  depart,  we  leave 
the  "  heap  "  as  our  "  Ebenezer,"  according  to  the  custom  of 
the  country.  The  afternoon  ride  is  pleasanter,  through 
harvest  fields  where  the  reapers  are  busy,  and  women  and 
children  are  gleaning  after  them  ;  and  through  green  meadows 
with  silent  streams  gliding  through,  whose  presence  is  only 
known  by  the  verdure  which  marks  their  course.  Our  ap 
proach  to  a  harvest-field  is  always  marked  by  the  coming  forth 
of  a  man  or  boy,  bringing  in  his  hand  a  little  sheaf  of  wheat, 
which  he  presents  to  us  as  the  "first  fruits,  "expecting  a 
"  backsheesh  "  in  return.  This  is  an  ancient  custom,  and  a 
few  paras  are  usually  bestowed  as  an  encouragement  to  the 
cultivators  of  the  soil. 

AKABfCIR,   AND    THE   ORDINATION. 

We  reach  Arabkir  soon  after  the  sunsetting,  and  gaze  with 
delight  upon  the  wealth  of  living  green  in  which  it  is  em 
bowered,  in  the  bosom  of  a  lovely  valley,  and  reaching  up 
the  slope  of  the  surrounding  hills.  A  few  wheat-fields  with 
their  golden  harvest,  gleam  amid  their  emerald  setting,  in 
the  heart  of  the  town,  and  the  contrast  to  Harpoot  is  as 
striking  as  it  is  refreshing.  It  appears  that  the  old  city  was 
deserted  during  a  time  of  civil  war  and  oppression,  when 
troops  were  quartered  upon  the  people,  and  they  fled  to  their 
gardens  and  vineyards,  a  few  miles  distant.  Here,  also,  we 


EDEN.  423 


find  narrow  streets  and  fearfully  rough  pavements ;  and  af 
ter  a  long,  rambling  ride  up  and  down  through  the  place, 
Mr.  Richardson  comes  forth  to  meet  us,  and  we  gladly  dis 
mount  at  the  door  of  a  cottage,  which  looks  so  home-like, 
that  our  hearts  bound  at  the  sight ;  at  the  entrance  stands 
one  of  our  own  American  sisters,  her  face  all  aglow  with  the 
welcome  she  is  waiting  to  give  us,  and  by  her  side  is  the 
dear  daughter,  grown  from  the  four-year-old  who  first  came 
with  her  parents  from  America,  to  a  young  lady  of  fifteen, 
just  returned  from  the  Deaconnesses  School  at  Smyrna,  to 
gladden  the  solitary  home  where  death  had  entered  and 
taken  a  younger  sister.  Over  their  shoulders  peep  a  num 
ber  of  curious  eyes  belonging  to  Armenian  hangers-on,  but  a 
gesture  from  Mrs.  Richardson  sends  them  away,  and  we  are 
folded  in  her  motherly  embrace  :  A  few  moments  more, 
and  we  gather  around  the  table  spread  for  our  refreshment 
in  the  cottage-home,  which  was  planned  and  built  by  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Clark,  formerly  of  our  Mission. 

The  Sabbath  dawns ;  Mr.  Allen  preaches  a  good  sermon 
in  the  chapel,  from  the  words,  "  But  lay  up  for  yourselves 
treasures  in  heaven ;"  afterward  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richardson 
present  their  babe  for  baptism.  It  sounds  strange,  and  yet 
very  pl'easant  to  hear  a  missionary  address  the  parents 
in  Armenian,  as  "  dear  brother  and  sister,"  and  many  eyes 
moisten  when  he  speaks  of  their  little  daughter,  consecrated 
to  Christ  a  few  years  since,  and  lately  taken  by  the  Good 
Shepherd  to  the  heavenly  fold  :  But  when  the  baptismal  water 
is  applied  to  the  child,  whom  they  covenant  to  train  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord,  he  speaks  the  sacred  Names  of  the  Holy 
Trinity,  in  our  blessed  mother-tongue,  which  sounds  pecu 
liarly  clear  and  sweet ;  the  transition  rendering  it  doubly 


424  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


grateful  to  the  ear.  It  brings  to  mind  the  words  of  an  English 
writer :  "  A  man  should  love  and  reverence  his  native  lan 
guage,  as  the  awakener  and  stirrer  of  all  his  thoughts,  the  frame 
and  mould  of  his  spiritual  being,  as  the  great  bond  and  medium 
of  intercourse  with  his  fellows,  as  the  mirror  in  which  he  sees 
his  own  nature,  and  without  which  he  could  not  commune 
with  himself;  as  the  image  in  which  the  wisdom  of  God  has 
chosen  to  reveal  itself  to  him."  On  Monday  morning,  Mr. 
A.  is  quite  unwell,  and  continues  to  grow  worse ;  we  think 
it  an  attack  of  ague  and  fever,  and  all  the  usual  remedies  are 
prescribed  and  taken,  but  without  effect.  Tuesday  is  set 
apart  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  for  the  church,  prepara 
tory  to  the  ordination,  which  takes  place  on  Thursday. 

The  morning  prayer-meeting,  held  at  sunrise,  is  well  at 
tended,  and  very  interesting.  Constant  accessions  are  made 
to  the  number  by  helpers  and  brethren  coming  in  from  the 
villages  to  attend  the  exercises.  On  Wednesday  morning 
the  business  commences.  The  Council  is  formed,  and  officers 
chosen  :  B.  Tomas,  pastor  of  the  Diarbekir  church,  is  select 
ed  as  Chairman,  and  B.  Marderos  of  the  Harpoot  church, 
Secretary ;  Mr.  Allen  is  not  able  to  be  present.  The  dele 
gates,  representing  other  churches,  take  their  seats  in  front 
of  the  audience ;  and  as  I  look  upon  the  goodly  company,  I 
only  wish  that  Christian  friends  at  home  could  be  present  on 
this  interesting  occasion.  The  examination  of  the  can 
didate  occupies  three  hours,  and  is  mostly  conducted  by 
Pastors  Tomas  and  Marderos,  with  Mr.  Richardson. 
The  people,  closely  seated  upon  the  floor  of  the  plain 
but  pleasant  chapel,  listen  intently  to  the  questions  and 
answers.  I  never  heard  an  examination  which  was  more 
thorough  and  searching,  showing  clearly  the  ability  of 


EDEN.  425 


the  two  Armenian  pastors.  No  one  seems  to  weary ;  in  fact, 
the  time  is  too  short.  Such  occasions  are  wonderfully 
helpful  in  teaching  the  people  the  ground-work  of  faith, — 
the  essential  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  preached  by  Christ. 
In  the  afternoon,  six  young  men  are  examined  for  licensure, 
five  of  whom  are  from  the  Arabkir  field,  and  were  educated 
at  Harpoot.  This  examination  proceeds  no  farther  to-day 
than  the  evidence  of  their  personal  piety  :  But  it  is  exceed 
ingly  interesting  to  see  how  the  people  listen ;  how  eager 
they  are  to  catch  every  word. 

THE  RETURN— SICKNESS  AND  DEATH. 

We  leave  Arabkir  on  Thursday,  with  many  fears  lest  our 
brother's  strength  should  prove  unequal  to  the  journey,  but 
he  is  very  anxious  to  get  home.  His  illness  increases  on  the 
way,  and  as  we  slowly  pace  along,  he  looks  ready  to  faint  in 
the  burning  sun,  and  suffers  from  a  raging  thirst,  with  "  no 
cooling  stream  at  hand."  And  though  he  is  very  patient, 
and  scarcely  speaks  of  himself,  we  cannot  restrain  the 
growing  fear  that  he  may  die  by  the  way-side.  Friday  after 
noon  finds  us  slowly  pressing  on,  step  by  step,  when  we  long 
for  wings  to  speed  us  on  our  way  ! 

Miss  F.  has  suffered  much  from  the  heat,  and  the  hard 
gait  of  her  horse  in  descending  the  hills,  and  her 
strength  fails ;  but  the  good  Armenian  brother  who  is  with 
us,  lends  a  helping  hand,  and  cheering  one  another  with 
words  of  faith  and  hope,  we  again  push  on,  that  we  may 
reach  Harpoot  before  the  night  sets  in,  as  the  morning  may 
find  Mr.  A.  unable  to  travel. 

The  sun  goes  down,  and  darkness  surrounds  us,  but 
silently  and  slowly  we  still  press  on  our  way  over  hill  and 


426  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

valley,  with  unutterable  longings  for  the  distant  gleaming  of 
Harpoot  lamps ;  but  the  darkness  grows  deeper,  and  not  a 
ray  of  light  pierces  the  gloom  to  revive  our  fainting  hopes  : 
We  lose  our  way,  and  after  wandering  about,  are  forced  to 
retrace  our  steps,  till,  at  midnight,  faint  and  dizzy,  we  ap 
proach  a  Turkish  village ;  but  no  house  will  open  its  doors 
to  take  us  in ;  and  after  many  vain  endeavors  to  find  at  least 
a  corner  for  the  one  so  ill,  we  camp  down  upon  a  threshing 
floor,  under  the  shelter  of  some  stacks  of  straw,  spreading 
the  bundles  upon  the  hard,  uneven  ground,  for  a  couch, 
and  then, — as  the  Apostle  Paul  wrote  of  his  shipwreck, — we 
"wish  for  the  day  !" 

With  the  first  rays  of  morning,  we  set  forth ;  my  strength  is 
now  ready  to  fail ;  but  a  cracker  and  a  few  drops  of  brandy, 
which  most  fortunately  we  have  with  us,  revive  the  fainting 
courage,  and  although  the  hours  go  by  on  leaden  wings,  as  if 
they  would  never  bring  us  to  the  end,  at  last  it  is  reached  ! 
we  turn  the  final  corner,  and  find  ourselves  once  more  with 
the  dear  friends  in  the  konak. 

Mr.  Allen  is  quite  ill  for  several  days,  and  before  his  re 
covery,  little  Katie,  who  has  been  ailing,  is  seized  with  the 
same  disease — dysentery.  Within  a  few  days,  baby  Hattie, 
and  the  youngest  child  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wheeler,  are  both 
attacked  with  measles,  and  for  a  week  there  is  scarcely  a 
well  person  in  the  two  families.  We  have  no  physician  to  aid  at 
this  trying  time,  and  the  care  and  responsibility,  added  to 
the  sorrow,  is  very  great.  Dwightie  Wheeler  is  the  first  to  be 
taken  from  the  lovely  group  of  missionary  children,  who 
made  a  picture  that  delighted  my  eyes  and  heart  when  I 
first  saw  them  assembled  to  welcome  their  u  new  aunties." 

The  measles  settled  upon  his  lungs, — the  weakest  part, — 


EDEN.  427 


and  produced  congestion.  It  is  very  hard  for  the  parents  to 
part  with  the  noble  little  fellow,  who  has  given  so  much 
promise  for  the  future,  even  at  the  age  of  two  years ;  but 
they  bow  submissively  to  the  Divine  will.  Two  days  after, 
on  Thursday,  the  i2th  of  August,  Dr.  West  is  summoned,  by 
telegraph,  from  Sivas.  The  opening  of  the  School  is  delayed 
for  a  few  days,  that  Miss  F.  and  I  may  more  entirely  devote 
ourselves  to  nursing  the  little  sufferers  by  night  and  by  day. 
A  response,  with  medical  directions,  is  received  from  the 
doctor,  on  Friday  ;  he  travels  "  by  post,"  and  reaches  Harpoot 
on  Monday  ;  but  both  of  the  children  are  very  low,  and  he 
gives  little  hope  of  their  recovery.  Three  days  and  nights 
of  ceaseless  and  silent  watching  by  the  little  cribs,  with  many 
prayers,  and  tears,  and  ebbing  hopes  as  the  pulse  grows 
weaker,  and  the  breath  fainter ;  and  then,  the  lovely  babe 
of  nine  months  sleeps  her  last  sleep. 

Katie  lingers,  sweet  and  patient  to  the  last,  responding  to 
the  gentlest  query,  in  the  night-watches,  though  with  gasp 
ing  breath,  "  Yes,  Auntie."  As  her  fond  parents  bend  over 
their  fading  flower,  their  stricken  hearts  are  almost  broken. 
But  when  He  who  gave,takes  the  last  one  of  their  three  precious 
daughters, — within  the  short  space  of  three  years, — they  un- 
murmuringly  say,  "  Thy  will  be  done."  Katie  breathes  her 
life  away,  on  Saturday,  August  2yth ;  and  for  the  third  time 
in  three  weeks,  a  little  coffin  is  made — from  packing-boxes — 
which  we  lovingly  cover  with  black  cloth,  and  line  with 
plaited  muslin,  in  Mr.  Wheeler's  study;  and  then  lay 
the  little  sleeper  to  rest,  with  geranium  leaves  and  a  few 
pure  white  blossoms,  and  opening  buds,  strewn  around  the 
pillow,  and  within  the  folded  hands.  On  Sunday,  the 
**  sacred  corner  "  of  the  terrace  again  receives  the  casket 


428  THE   ROMANCE   OF  MISSIONS. 

committed  to  the  keeping  of  mother-earth,  and  with  our  sym 
pathizing  Armenian  friends,  \ve  sing: 

"  Unveil  thy  bosom,  faithful  tomb  ; 
Take  this  new  treasure  to  thy  trust." 

The  falling  earth  once  more  sounds  the  knell  of  buried 
hopes,  and  after  the  solemn  benediction,  beneath  the  bend 
ing  skies,  we  turn  away  to  the  desolated  home,  and  leave  the 
peaceful  sleepers,  "  while  angels  watch  their  soft  repose,"  in 
the  land  of  the  stranger. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnum  are  now  passing  under  the  cloud 
which  threatens  to  deprive  them  of  their  two  tender,  fragile 
little  ones ;  they  are  affected,  like  those  just  gone,  with 
measles  and  dysentery. 

At  this  crisis,  Dr.  West  receives  a  telegram  from  Sivas, 
which  compels  him  to  leave  us.  He  says,  in  answer  to  my 
query,  that  much  of  the  illness  in  these  families  is  owing  to 
their  proximity  to  several  vile  sewers,  three  of  which  were 
opened  by  people  on  this  street,  while  we  were  watching  by 
the  little  sufferers;  and  the  very  room  where  they  lay  was  so 
filled  with  the  noxious  gas  that  every  breath  was  poison  ! 
His  own  system  was  somewhat  affected  by  it  (in  the  same  form 
of  disease,)  during  his  stay  ;  and  it  needs  no  argument  to 
prove  that  the  more  sensitive  and  delicate  mucous  mem 
brane  of  children,  must  inevitably  become  vitiated,  produc 
ing  malignant  diseases  of  the  vital  organs.  Many  children 
in  the  city  are  dying  from  the  same  cause,  and  one  of  our 
Armenian  neighbors,  in  referring  to  the  mortality,  innocently 
says,  "  There  is  something  in  the  air  this  year  which  seems 
to  poison  every  child  that  has  the  measles."  Alas!  we  know 
what  the  ""something"  is,  but  are  impotent  to  save  precious 


EDEN.  429 


lives  where  the  evil  is  so  wide-spread  and  continued  !  The 
season  is  said  to  be  very  unhealthy.  A  sirocco  from  the 
arid  plains  of  the  South,  frequently  visits  us  with  its  scorch 
ing  breath,  bringing  clouds  of  fine  dust  on  its  wings.  There 
is  not  a  tree  on  the  Mission  premises  beneath  whose  shade 
the  little  ones  may  play ;  and  more  than  sixty  persons  must 
breathe  the  air  of  this  dwelling  from  day  to  day,  besides 
numbers  of  Armenians  and  Turks  who  frequent  the  konak. 
There  is  no  health-retreat,  no  mountain  resort,  to  which 
these  stricken  families  may  flee  in  times  of  danger;  and, 
through  all  the  stifling  heat  of  the  long  Summer,  the  father 
and  mother  in  the  cottage  untiringly  watch  over  their  dar 
lings,  and  see  them  slowly  fade  and  die,  soon  following  their 
little  play-mates  to  the  "  everlasting  gardens ;"  first  the  timid, 
dove-like  Fanny,  then  the  loving,  enthusiastic  Willie  Good- 
ell,  who  has  yielded  his  will  to  Jesus,  and  no  longer  fears  to 
follow  his  little  sister  to  heaven  :  And  again,  with  aching 
hearts  and  tearful  eyes,  we  prepare  the  little  coffins,  and  see 
fresh  treasures  buried  out  of  our  sight !  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnum 
would  be  utterly  stript,  but  for  a  little  nestling  that  came  to 
comfort  them  a  few  days  before  the  end. 

THE   MISSION  OF  LITTLE  CHILDREN  IN  MISSIONARY 
FAMILIES. 

I  realize  more  forcibly  than  ever  before,  some  of  the  trials 
peculiar  to  the  foreign -missionary  family:  The  lack  of 
suitable  food  for  the  children  ;  the  vain  search  for  a  supply  of 
good  milk  ;*  the  constant  and  soul-vexing  succession  of  poor 
native  nurses,  who  cannot  be  trusted, — where  the  missionary 


*  Cows  are  used  for  agricultural  labor,  like  oxen,  in  the  East,  and 
the  milk  of  sheep  and  buffaloes  is  much  more  esteemed  by  the  people. 


430  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

mother  is  too  enfeebled  to  furnish  nature's  most  healthful 
nourishment  to  her  offspring;  these  are  a  few  of  the  wearing 
"  little  things  "  which  must  be  experienced  to  be  fully  appre 
ciated.  But  what  is  home  without  the  children?  especially  a 
missionary  home,  where  the  family,  in  its  entirety,  is  a  living 
object-lesson  to  the  people,  who  see  all  its  endearing  relations 
sanctified  by  a  high  and  holy  love  which  has  its  birth  in  heaven. 
Are  they  not  all  "ministering  spirits?"  Ah  !  how  many  and 
how  precious  lessons  have  we  learned  from  the  five  "  wee 
bairnes  "  whom  God  has  taken  ! 

It  was  once  said  by  that  eminent  scholar  and  teacher,  Dr. 
Arnold,  of  Rugby,  that  "no  student  would  continue  long  in 
a  healthy  religious  state,  unless  his  heart  was  kept  tender  by 
mingling  with  children,  or  by  frequent  intercourse  with  the 
poor  and  suffering."  "No  one  can  truly  mingle  with  chil 
dren,"  writes  another,  "  without  unsealing  new  points  of 
tenderness  and  mystery.  When  God  makes  men  fathers,  by 
one  more  precious  means,  he  is  carrying  on  the  education  of 
the  world.  He  teaches  us  by  the  children  as  much  as  He 
teaches  the  children  by  us."  And  surely,  if  any  one  needs 
such  blessed  helps,  it  is  the  foreign  missionary,  who  is 
constantly  associated  with  a  people  who  look  to  him  for 
guidance  and  teaching,  and  draw  largely  upon  his  mental 
resources  and  physical  strength,  without  affording  him  the 
opportunity  of  contact  and  comparison  with  superior  minds 
and  high  culture. 

Yet  there  are  those,  at  home,  who  hold  up  Xavier,  as  the 
model  missionary,  and  would  cut  God's  ambassadors  loose 
from  all  family  ties,  and  send  them  forth  "  untrammeled  " 
by  such  "  encumbrances  !" 

"Too  many  children!"    said  a  noble  little  fellow  of  six 


EDEN.  431 


years,  fresh  from  Africa,  whom  I  once  congratulated  upon 
the  number  of  his  brothers  and  sisters  :  And  he  shook  his 
young  head  sagely,  as  he  put  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  and 
paced  back  and  forth  across  the  room.  "What  makes  you 
think  so  ?"  I  laughingly  inquired.  "  O,  people  shake  their 
heads  at  us,  here  in  America,  and  say,  l  it  costs  too  much 
money  /'  "  "  I  suppose  they  wish  that  my  father  had  never  mar 
ried  ;  but  /  don't !"  exclaimed  one  of  the  numerous  Scudder 
family,  from  India — when  alluding  to  the  feeling  expressed 
by  some  good  people  that  all  missionaries  should  go  forth 
alone,  because  of  the  somewhat  abnormal  relation  sustained 
by  their  children  to  the  churches  at  home,  and  the  great 
trial  and  deprivation  of  being  (in  most  cases)  early  separa 
ted  from  their  parents. 

"  Great  is  the  mystery  of  godliness,  (or  Qodness)."  "  He  that 
spared  not  His  own  Son,  but  delivered  Him  up  for  us  all," 
alone  can  understand  the  heights  and  depths  of  the  whys  and 
wherefores  in  thus  using  man  in  the  salvation  of  man.  Suf 
fering  and  self-denial  are  inevitably  linked  with  fellowship 
in  Christ's  work ;  and  perhaps  none  can  better  fathom  the 
deep  meaning  of  the  Apostle's  words  than  the  missionary 
who,  like  him,  is  called  to  "  fill  up  that  which  is  behind  of 
the  afflictions  of  Christ  in  (the)  flesh  for  his  body's  sake, 
which  is  the  Church." 

We  miss,  unspeakably,  the  pattering  of  the  little  feet ;  the 
soft,  winsome  prattle;  the  dimpled  smiles,  and  the  music  of 
gushing,  rippling  laughter,  so  contagious  and  refreshing  after 
the  toils  and  trials  of  the  day.  And  the  tears  start  afresh 
to  our  eyes  when  one  of  these  smitten  parents  exclaims,  as 
she  listlessly  wanders  about  the  solitary  rooms,  "  My  arms 
are  so  empty!"  while  her  heart  yearns  over  every  mother 
she  sees  with  her  babe. 


432  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


Not  the  faintest  likeness  remains  of  those  so  early  taken 
away ;  but  faithful  memory  paints  each  picture  in  never- 
fading  colors :  The  flaxen  hair,  the  full  round  forehead,  and 
fair  face  of  Dwightie  Wheeler,  with  eyes  of  heaven's  own 
blue,  looking  so  demurely  and  mischievously  at  times,  and 
the  sweet,  yet  firm  mouth,  curving  with  an  arch  smile, — espe 
cially  when  in  some  little  conflict,  his  father  says,  <c  Papa 
is  not  going  to  have  a  controversy  with  you,  my  son  !"  The 
brilliant  complexion,  and  large  violet  eyes  of  Katie  Allen, 
with  the  wealth  of  brown  curls  falling  upon  the  neck  and 
shoulders  of  the  plump  little  figure  that  moved  so  gently 
amongst  us  :  And  the  soft  hazel  eyes  of  baby  Hattie,  light 
ing  the  sweet  expressive  face,  shaded  by  short  silken 
hair  of  dark-brown ;  the  dewy,  rose-bud  mouth,  and  tiny 
dimpled  hands  that  called,  and  beckoned,  and  patted  with 
love's  own  language !  The  oval  face,  so  spirituelle,  and 
downcast  eyes  of  deepest  blue,  stealing  timid  glances  from 
underneath  the  fringed  lids,  of  the  shy  Fanny  Barnum,  our 
little  "  sensitive  plant,"  whose  finely-curved  lips  betrayed 
every  changing  emotion.  And  Willie  Goodell  Barnum,  with 
soulful  eyes,  as  deeply  blue  as  his  sister's,  intense  and  spark 
ling  with  an  overflowing  affection ;  the  round  head  covered, 
like  hers,  with  the  soft,  shining  hair  that  is  "gold  in  the 
sunshine,  and  brown  in  the  shade" — whose  mobile  face  mir 
rored  every  feeling  of  his  inquiring,  active  mind.  The  three 
children  who  remain,  greatly  feel  the  loss  of  their  little  com 
panions;  and  the  shadow  which  has  fallen  upon  their  young 
lives,  is  manifest  in  subdued  tones  and  spiritless  play. 
Surely,  if  anything  but  the  "  love  of  Christ  constraining  "  had 
brought  these  missionaries  to  this  land,  nothing  less  than  that 
could  keep  them  here !  And  yet,  thank  God,  there  is  light 


EDEN.  433 


in  these  dwellings — as  among  the  Israelites,  when  thick 
darkness  reigned  in  Egypt-  We  can  each  and  all  say  with 
David,  "  It  is  good  for  me  that  I  have  been  afflicted ;"  for 
unity  in  sorrow  and  suffering  has  drawn  and  knit  our  hearts 
together  in  a  dearer  and  closer  bond  of  Christian  love ;  and 
we  turn  to  work  again,  "  with  hearts  new-braced  and  set, 
to  run  untired  Love's  blessed  race:"  And  the  mothers? — 
they  of  the  aching  hearts  and  empty  arms  ?  Ah  ! 

"  How  can  a  Mother's  heart  feel  cold  and  weary, 
Knowing  her  dearer  self  safe,  happy,  warm? 
How  can  she  feel  her  road  too  dark  or  dreary, 

Who  knows  her  treasure  sheltered  from  the  storm  ? 

She  knows  that  when  the  mighty  Angels  raise 

Chorus  in  Heaven,  one  little  silver  tone 
Is  hers  forever;  that  one  little  praise, 

One  little  happy  voice,  is  all  her  own. 

We  may  not  see  her  sacred  crown  of  honor, 

But  all  the  Angels  flitting  to  and  fro, 
Pause,  smiling  as  they  pass, — they  look  upon  her 

As  mother  of  an  angel  whom  they  know." 

Tidings  have  reached  us  of  the  death  of  two  other  precious 
missionary  children, — Welles  Williams,  and  Emily  Smith, — 
the  light  and  joy  of  loving  hearts  in  Mardin,  and  Marsovan ; 
and  Mrs.  Dodd,  of  the  latter  place,  has  been  brought  very 
low,  in  that  old  Turkish  konak,  where  the  seeds  of  disease 
and  death  have  been  reeking,  in  the  darkness,  for  many 
years ! 

But  the  severest  trials  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  missionary, 
are  not  from  within ;  they  come  from  without,  from  some 
of  those  upon  whom  much  labor  has  been  bestowed,  and  for 
whom  costly  sacrifices  have  been  made  ;  who  show  little  ap 
preciation  or  gratitude,  and  even  use  the  influence  which  they 
19 


434  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

have  acquired,  against  their  best  friends  and  benefactors,  and 
the  Cause  which  is  infinitely  more  precious  to  them  than 
their  own  personal  interests :  It  is  here  that  the  iron  enters 
the  soul  of  the  faithful  missionary,  laboring  among  a  people 
so  foreign  to  himself,  in  thought,  and  life,  and  language,  that 
it  is  no  marvel  if  his  motives,  his  aims,  and  his  actions  are 
often  misunderstood  and  maligned.  It  requires  faith 
like  that  of  Moses,  who  "  endured  as  seeing  Him  who  is  invis 
ible  /' — to  continue  calmly  and  heartily  in  the  discharge  of 
duty,  "  as  to  the  Lord,  and  not  unto  men  ;"  leaving  results 
to  the  Master — "  Knowing  that  of  the  Lord  ye  shall  receive 
the  reward  of  the  inheritance :  FOR  YE  SERVE  THE  LORD 
CHRIST." 

"  Reward  of  grace,  how  wondrous  ! 

Short  toil,  eternal  rest; 
Oh  !  miracle  of  mercy, 

A  mansion  with  the  bless'd  : 
For  now  we  fight  the  battle, 

And  then  we  wear  the  crown 
Of  full  and  everlasting 

And  passionless  renown! 
O  land  that  hast  no  sorrow, 

O  state  that  knows  no  strife, 
O  princely  bowers,  O  land  of  flowers, 

O  realm  and  home  of  life  !" 

Heaven  grows  nearer  and  dearer  every  day ;  the  presence 
of  the  Master  more  manifest,  and  things  unseen  and  eter 
nal,  unceasingly  take  their  true  place,  lifting  us  above  the 
short-lived  storms  of  this  lower  region  :  "  There  may  be  a 
cloud  without  a  rainbow,  but  there  cannot  be  a  rainbow 
without  a  cloud." 


EDEN.  435 


FRESH  ARRIVALS,  AND  AUTUMN    WORK. 

November  days  have  come,  and  with  them  the  new  teacher 
from  America,  Miss  Pond,  the  beloved  class-mate  and  sister- 
teacher  of  Miss  Fritcher,  at  Mt.  Holyoke  Seminary.  The 
meeting  of  the  two  friends,  in  this  distant  corner  of  the 
world,  is  a  cup  of  joy  not  often  granted  to  the  missionary 
teacher.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen,  who  greatly  needed  a  change, 
went,  with  their  only  child,  to  Sivas,  to  meet  Miss  Pond  and 
bring  her  safely  on  her  way ;  and  one  of  the  Marsovan  mis 
sionaries  having  escorted  her  from  the  seaboard,  there 
resigned  his  charge  to  their  care.  While  they  were  journey 
ing  from  the  north-west,  another  party  were  traveling  an 
equal  distance  from  the  south-east,  crossing  the  lofty 
mountains  of  the  Taurus  range,  and  reaching  Harpoot 
the  same  day : — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams,  from  Mardin, 
with  two  children  of  a  larger  growth  than  any  at  Harpoot. 
They  will  spend  the  Winter  here,  that  Mrs.  W.  may  have  the 
benefit  of  medical  attendance  which  is  expected  in  the 
course  of  a  few  months.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richardson  and 
their  children  also  came  at  the  same  time  for  a  visit,  on 
their  way  to  Malatia. 

The  school  examinations,  which  took  place  only  a  day  or 
two  before  our  friends  arrived,  gave  great  satisfaction  to  those 
who  were  present.  Our  dear  girls  especially  acquitted  them 
selves  with  credit.  Their  principal  Bible  lesson  was  the 
book  of  Acts,  which  has  been  a  delightful  study  during  the 
Summer,  fitting  them,  we  trust,  for  the  same  work  in  this 
land.  They  were  able  to  point  out  on  the  map,  every  place 
visited  by  the  Apostles ;  and  gave  a  clear  and  intelligent  ac 
count  of  the  chief  events  of  their  missionary  travels,  and  the 


436  THE   ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 


important  lessons  derived  from  the  book.  But  two  or  three 
of  those  under  instruction  in  this  school,  gave  any  special 
evidence,  or  made  any  profession  of  piety,  at  the  commence 
ment  of  the  Summer ;  but  much  tenderness  and  solemnity 
was  manifested  when  the  truths  of  God's  Word  were  brought 
home  to  their  hearts  and  consciences,  and  personal  appeals 
were  made ;  our  hearts  were  rejoiced  ere  many  weeks  by 
tokens  of  the  Spirit's  presence,  in  a  prevailing  seriousness 
and  prayerfulness  :  And  when  a  number  came  to  inquire  more 
perfectly  the  way  of  salvation  from  sin,  Miss  Fritcher  ex 
claimed,  "  Who  knows  but  we  have  been  brought  here  to 
reap  a  harvest  of  souls!"  Before  the  Summer  ended,  we 
hoped  that  eight  or  ten,  if  not  more,  had  indeed  been  truly 
adopted  into  the  family  of  Christ.  Two  of  the  boarders 
were  married  to  preachers,  at  the  close  of  school ;  two 
others  had  become  wives  of  ministers,  at  an  earlier  date,  and 
two  are  recently  engaged  to  preachers  already  settled  in 
their  fields,  making  six  help-mates  for  pastors,  supplied 
from  our  preparatory  school  during  the  season  ! 

The  pupils  of  both  schools  are  now  scattered  to  their  Winter 
work  of  sowing  Gospel-seed  in  all  the  region  round  about. 
The  Harpoot  plain,  with  its  teeming  population,  is  to  these 
Schools,  what  MISSIONS  are  to  the  churches  of  Christian 
lands — a  MORAL  GVMNASIUM  FOR  THE  DEVELOPMENT  AND 
EXERCISE  OF  THEIR  GIFTS  AND  GRACES  :  Here,  is  settled  a 
student,  with  his  wife  and  children,  and  there,  another,  at 
various  central  points,  to  preach  and  teach  the  Glad  Tidings 
of  the  Kingdom  of  God,  according  to  their  ability. 

However  little  the  wives  may  know,  the  mass  of  the  peo 
ple  are  still  more  ignorant,  and  the  presence  of  a  Christian 
family  is  a  light  shining  in  a  dark  place.  A  number  of  girls 


EDEN.  437 


are  employed  as  teachers  of  day-schools  in  the  villages, 
under  the  care  and  protection  of  responsible  families. 

The  last  few  weeks  have  been  crowded  with  work ;  a  busy 
time  for  the  missionaries  at  this  Station :  the  selection  and 
appointment  of  the  students,  for  various  parts  of  the  field, 
looking  to  the  needs  of  each  place,  and  the  fitness  of  each 
man,  required  no  small  amount  of  consultation,  and  careful 
consideration,  before  they  were  all  sent  forth,  as  the  Master 
sent  the  seventy,  "  into  every  city  and  place  whither  He 
himself  would  come." 

The  organization  of  a  church,  and  ordination  of  the 
preacher, — a  graduate  of  the  Harpoot  Seminary, — in  Ichmeh 
a  village  five  hours  distant,  followed  close  upon  the  conclusion 
of  this  work,  and  occupied  the  missionaries  for  two  days. 
Miss  F.  and  I  were  present,  and  greatly  enjoyed  the  inter 
esting  exercises,  assisting  in  the  examination  of  five  or  six 
women,  who  were  among  the  candidates ;  we  were  much 
pleased  with  the  simplicity  of  their  faith.  The  church  was 
organized  with  a  membership  of  twenty-three,  thirteen  of 
whom  were  received  by  letter  from  the  Harpoot  church,  and 
the  remainder  on  profession  of  faith.  The  people  had 
pledged  themselves  to  minister  to  their  pastor  in  temporal 
things,  receiving  but  a  small  proportion  of  his  support  from 
the  missionaries ;  and  all  seemed  very  happy  over  the  union 
which  was  so  like  a  marriage,  truly  a  crowning  ceremony  ! 
A  day  or  two  after  this,  we  enjoyed  a  happy  "  Thanksgiv 
ing;"  dinner  was  served  in  the  hall  of  the  konak,  with  an 
unusual  number  of  friends  gathered  around  the  table ;  and 
the  wine  of  wit,  and  that  "  sanctified  fun,"  in  which  alone 
missionaries  are  supposed  to  indulge,  went  freely  round  the 
lively  circle :  The  viands  prepared  for  the  occasion  were 


438  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

not  very  different  from  our  common  fare,  though  in  greater 
variety.  Mutton,  fowls,  potatoes,  squash,  pilaff;  with  fruit, 
and  pies,  or  puddings,  for  dessert.  We  thought  and  spoke 
much  of  our  friends  in  the  home-land,  on  this  last  Thursday 
of  November,  the  day  appointed  for  "  national  thanksgiving 
to  God ;  "  and  finished  our  social  feast  by  joining  in  a 
grand  chorus  of  good  old  songs  and  hymns,  accompanied 
by  the  organ.  But  on  the  next  day,  our  joy  was  turned 
to  mourning,  over  the  distressing  illness  of  Willie  Wheeler, 
who  struggled  with  death  for  weeks,  from  disease  of  the 
brain,  and  was  then  given  back  to  his  parents. 

PLOUGHING  AND   SOWING  FOR   SELF-SUPPORT. 

Mr.  Barnum  and  Mr.  Allen  are  often  absent  at  this  season 
on  apostolic  tours.  And  Mr.  Wheeler,  who  has  done  much  of 
this  essential  work,  in  former  years,  is  devoting  his  time  and 
untiring  energy,  mainly  to  the  thankless  task  of  bringing  the 
people  of  the  city  church  up  to  the  point  of  self-support. 
And  as  the  days  and  weeks  go  by,  I  watch,  with  intense  in 
terest,  the  solving  of  this  difficult  problem.  His  indomitable 
will,  and  unflinching  persistence  and  courage,  will  carry  the 
day,  if  human  means  alone  can  do  it;  but  he  looks  to  a 
Higher  power  for  success  in  an  enterprise  which  he  is  persuad 
ed  is  vital  to  the  ultimate  triumph  of  Christ's  cause  in  this 
land :  /.  e.,  the  planting  of  independent,  self-sustaining  and 
self-propagating  churches. 

This  can  only  be  accomplished,  at  the  outset,  by  patient 
and  continuous  labor  with  individuals — "  the  one  man  with 
one  man?'  There  must  be  a  vast  amount  of  pulling  down 
before  the  building  up;  rooted  selfishness,  old-time  preju 
dices,  customs,  and  habits,  must  be  met  and  battled  to  the 


EDEN.  439 


death  !  But  our  warrior  uses  any  weapon  that  may  come  to 
hand ;  and  when  one  fails,  he  tries  another,  of  keener  blade 
and  sharper  point.  He  knows  how  to  touch  the  springs  of 
human  nature,  and  adapts  his  style  of  warfare  to  the  man 
with  whom  he  has  to  deal.  "  How  much  will  you  give  for 
the  support  of  the  Gospel  among  your  people,  this  year?" 
he  inquires  of  a  well-to-do  merchant,  a  member  of  the  Har- 
poot  church.  "  Five  piastres,"  the  man  replies,  after 
various  side  issues  ;  about  twenty  cents.  This  is  the  result 
of  an  hour's  earnest  and  serious  conversation  respecting 
Christian  duty,  personal  responsibility,  etc.  "  Very  well," 
says  the  missionary,  changing  his  tactics :  "  I  see  that  you 
are  a  five  piastre  man  :  You  love  Jesus  Christ  five  piastres 
worth  /"  and  leaves  him  to  solitary  reflection.  At  first,  he 
is  roused,  and  angry ;  but  his  conscience  once  awakened, 
cannot  be  quieted :  And  when,  a  Sunday  or  two  after,  the 
missionary  preaches  in  a  very  simple,  earnest  way,  the 
plain  truth  on  this  subject  of  Christian  stewardship,  bringing 
it  home  to  his  hearers  by  a  practical  application,  this  mer 
chant,  sitting  near  the  front,  hangs  his  head  as  guiltily  as  if 
the  preacher  had  said,  "  Thou  art  the  man ;"  and  ere  long, 
he  is  led  to  acknowledge  his  "  meanness,"  and  fulfill  the 
Scripture  injunction — "  Upon  the  first  day  of  the  week,  let 
every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store  as  God  hath  prospered 
him."  But  oh !  the  perseverance,  the  patience,  the  hope,  and 
the  love  that  is  required  in  this  weary  fight  of  faith ! — this 
hand-to-hand  conflict  with  the  Spirit  of  evil,  intrenched  be 
hind  the  avarice,  the  greed,  and  the  niggardliness  of  self- 
love  !  As  day  after  day  draws  to  a  close,  I  see  the  faithful 
laborer  returning  from  the  market,  his  strength  exhausted, 
his  head  throbbing  with  pain,  and  his  heart  ofttimes  heavy 


44O  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


with  the  hardness  of  the  herculean  task  he  has  undertaken. 
Yet  when  the  morning  dawns,  he  goes  forth  again,  "  faint, 
yet  pursuing,"  trusting  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  and  the 
"  power  of  His  might :"  It  seems  scarcely  credible  that  the 
experiment  will  prove  a  success ;  for  the  people  of  Harpoot 
stand  pre-eminent  for  stinginess,  among  their  brethren  of  the 
plain  ;  and  the  excellent  pastor  of  the  church  does  not  sym 
pathize  with  the  plan  :  Like  most,  if  not  all  the  Protestant 
Armenian  preachers  in  Turkey,  he  much  prefers  to  receive 
his  salary  directly  from  the  American  Board  ;  and  is  inclined 
to  look  somewhat  suspiciously  upon  this  new  movement  of  the 
missionaries.  It  appears  to  him  like  going  back  to  the  sys 
tem  pursued  in  the  Old  Church,  and  he  says,  "  I  can  never 
consent  to  beg  my  living  from  the  people,  like  the  priests  !" 
Harpoot  some  time  since  passed  safely  through  a  crisis 
identical  with  that  experienced  at  Marsovan,in  the  endeavor  of 
the  people  to  obtain  possession  of  the  chapel-building,  to 
ward  which  they  had  contributed  a  small  proportion  : — A 
form  of  disease  almost  as  natural  and  peculiar  to  these  in 
fant  churches,  one  might  say,  as  the  measles  and  whooping- 
cough  to  children  !  And  no  common  wisdom,  prudence, 
discretion,  and  sound  judgment,  is  required  to  bring  them 
through  this  critical  stage  without  permanent  injury.  As  some 
one  has  wisely  written,  "  Classes  that  are  always  ruled,  with 
out  a  share  in  the  ruling,  are  but  half  educated.  The  surest 
way  to  develop  a  human  being  up  to  the  full  measure  of  his 
capacity,  is  to  give  him  scope  for  action.  Restrict  and 
narrow  his  sphere,  and  you  impair  his  growth  and  lessen  the 
forces  that  make  up  his  existence."  It  would  be  an  unspeak 
able  pity  to  check  a  spontaneous  growth,  crippling,  and 
rl \varfing,  instead  of  healthily  developing  each  individual 


EDEN.  441 


member, — "  unto  a  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure  of  the 
stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ ; — that  they  henceforth  be  no 
more  children,  tossed  to  and  fro,  and  carried  about  with 
every  wind  of  doctrine,  by  the  sleight  of  men  and  cunning 
craftiness :  But  speaking  the  truth  in  love,  may  grow  up 
into  Him  in  all  things,  who  is  the  Head,  even  Christ." 

Here  the  best  gifts  and  noblest  talents  find  full  play ;  and 
especially  that  "  common  sense  "  which  is  very  uncommon  ! 
I  see  more  plainly,  every  day,  that  a  missionary,  to  be  emi 
nently  successful,  must  be  "  all  things  to  all  men;"  a  man  of 
great  versatility,  of  organizing  and  executive  ability,  with 
quick  perceptions,  far-reaching  aims,  and  that  keen  fore 
sight  which,  looking  beyond  present  ease  and  expediency, 
into  the  distant  future,  sees  how  principles  now  adopted  and 
carried  into  practice,  will  affect  the  welfare  of  children  yet 
unborn  !  He  must  have  the  "  mind  of  Christ  " — who,  in 
His  infinite  wisdom,  knowing  the  vast  need  of  its  reflex 
influence  upon  the  Church,  laid  foundations,  and  com 
mitted  the  "  ministry  of  reconcilation  "  to  weak  and  foolish 
men,  and  not  to  angels ;  saying,  "  And  greater  works  than 
these,  shall  ye  do."  In  this  simple,  yet  wonderful  fact,  seems 
hidden,  as  in  a  kernel,  the  entire  economy  of  Missions  in  the 
Christian  Church. 

ESSENTIALS  OF  SUCCESS. 

If  this  missionary  trio,  so  utterly  unlike  in  character,  tem 
perament,  and  constitution  of  mind,  and  with  such  a  diver 
sity  of  gifts,  were  not  one  in  spirit  and  harmonious  in  work 
ing,  it  would  be  folly  to  hope  for  the  results  which  they  con 
fidently  expect.  Mr.  Williams,  who  is  hard  at  work  pre 
paring  lectures  in  Arabic  for  his  training-class  in  theology, 


442  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


feels  the  full  force  of  this  fact,  and  wittily  remarks,  "  We  can 
not  afford  to  have  a  '  crooked  stick  '  sent  out  to  work  with 
us ;  for  just  as  we  get  used  to  his  sinuosities  he  will  turn 
over  /" 

"  UNION  is  strength;"  and  these  three  missionaries  (each 
perfectly  independent  and  untrammeled  in  thought  and 
action,)  are  a  unit.  What  one  says,  all  say ;  the  people  have 
learned  that  there  is  no  appeal  from  one  to  the  other ;  and 
this  is  a  wonderful  source  of  power  among  those  who,  like 
a  family  of  children,  need  a  firm,  even,  steady,  yet  gentle 
hand,  to  guide  and  discipline  them  while  learning  to  walk 
alone,  and  use  aright  the  strength  which  God  has  given. 

CONCENTRATION  is  another  secret  of  success.  These  mis 
sionaries,  centred  at  one  point,  can  "  call  a  council  "  at  any 
moment,  when  a  new  question  or  an  unlooked-for  emergency 
arises.  Mr.  Wheeler's  study  adjoins  that  of  Mr.  Allen's,  though 
the  two  families  occupy  entirely  distinct  portions  of  the  konak. 
A  company  of  the  brethren  have  come  to  him  from  one  of 
the  villages  with  a  story  of  some  recent  trouble  in  their  little 
Protestant  community.  Mr.  W.  listens  to  them  for  a  mo 
ment,  and  then  opens  a  tiny  door  in  the  wall  over  his  table, 
and  taps  on  a  similar  one  over  Mr.  A.'s  table.  A  word  or 
two  in  English  passes  between  them,  and  then  Mr.  Allen 
writes  a  line,  and  drops  the  slip  of  paper  into  a  little  water 
proof  bag  which  is  strung  upon  a  wire  outside  his  window  ; 
and  giving  a  few  turns  to  the  wheel  of  the  simple  "  tele 
graph,"  which  he  has  ingeniously  constructed,  sends  word 
to  Mr.  Barnum,  who  soon  joins  his  associates  ;  or,  a  cord, 
drawn  at  the  cottage,  tinkles  a  little  bell  announcing  a  mes 
sage  of,  perhaps,  a  company  gathered  there  ;  and  the  move 
ment  of  the  wheel  is  reversed  to  bring  back  the  little 


EDEN.  443 


mail-carrier.  If,  after  sufficient  consultation,  freely  con 
sidering  all  the  pros  and  cons,  there  is  still  a  diversity  of 
opinion  regarding  the  best  measure  to  be  adopted,  the 
minority  must  yield.  "  Three  is  just  right,"  Mr.  Wheeler 
says,  "  because  it  always  secures  a  majority." 

The  proximity  of  the  missionary  families  is  also  a  great 
source  of  comfort  and  protection,  especially  when,  as  often 
happens,  the  husbands  are  absent  on  their  frequent  tours  in 
distant  portions  of  the  field. 

I  am  greatly  struck  with  the  superior  advantages  which 
this  station  has  over  Constantinople  with  its  many  hills  to 
climb  and  waters  to  traverse,  before  missionary  families,  sta 
tioned  at  widely-separated  quarters  of  that  great  city,  can 
meet.  A  missionary  settled  at  Scutari  or  Yeni  Kapoo,  is 
far  more  widely  separated  from  his  brethren  at  Bebek,  than 
ministers  living  in  New  York  from  those  in  Brooklyn.  In 
fact,  for  all  practical  purposes,  it  is  more  nearly  like  the  dis 
tance  between  New  York  and  New  Haven.  Pera  is  middle 
ground,  but  to  go  from  one  point  to  another  consumes  the 
best  part  of  the  day ;  and  unless  a  previous  correspondence 
has  ensured  their  meeting,  it  may  be  time  spent  in  vain. 

FRESH  LESSONS  OF  GOD'S  PRESENCE  AND 
PRO  VIDENCE. 

It  is  wonderful  that  a  handful  of  Americans,  scattered 
over  a  land  like  this,  with  no  means  of  defence,  should 
dwell  in  safety,  with  none  to  molest  or  make  afraid  !  Last 
evening,  as  three  or  four  of  us  were  returning  from  Mezereh 
— the  post  and  telegraph  station  at  the  entrance  of  the  plain, 
— we  met  the  Pasha  in  a  fine  European  carriage,  with  out 
riders,  etc.,  in  great  style,  and  he  twice  saluted  our  party, 


444  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


bowing  low.  In  years  gone  by,  there  was  a  secret  conspiracy 
among  a  few  of  the  Turks  in  this  city,  to  rise,  as  in  Syria, 
and  put  all  the  Christians  to  death.  But  it  was  quelled  be 
fore  securing  public  attention.  English  influence  is  felt  even 
in  the  most  remote  districts  of  the  interior.  Lord  Stratford 
made  the  very  name  a  power  in  Turkey.  But  more  than  all, 
do  v/e  realize  that  God  reigns  and  rules  over  the  kingdoms 
of  the  earth.  We  have  just  received  a  fresh  lesson  of  His  all- 
pervading  presence  and  power.  Sitting  quietly  with  our  read 
ing  and  needle  work  the  other  evening,  we  felt  earth's  old  pil 
lars  shake  beneath  our  feet,  and  this  great  house  trembled  and 
rocked  upon  its  foundations.  It  was  a  solemn  moment,  but 
our  hearts  were  stayed  on  the  Rock  of  Ages,  and  we  thought 
of  the  words  of  the  Psalmist,  "  God  is  our  refuge  and 
strength  ;  therefore  will  not  we  fear,  though  the  earth  be 
removed,  and  though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the 
midst  of  the  sea."  (My  first  experience  of  earthquakes  was 
received  in  Constantinople,  the  year  after  my  arrival :  I  was 
with  Mrs.  Hinsdale,  in  the  guest-room  of  the  only  mission 
ary  family  living  in  the  Old  City;  and, — instead  of  watching 
by  the  bedside  of  Meta  Benjamin — after  the  day's  work  in 
school,  and  a  long  walk  through  Stamboul  to  Yeni  Kapoo, 
as  often  during  the  weeks  of  suffering  which  had  worn  heavily 
upon  the  friends  who  had  cared  for  her  honored  and  be 
loved  father  during  his  last  illness ;  was  preparing  her  last 
earthly  robe,  when  suddenly,  the  walls  began  to  shake,  and 
the  door  flew  open,  as  if  swung  back  by  invisible  hands ! 
We  grasped  each  other  convulsively,  and  rising,  without 
a  word,  stepped  into  the  hall,  expecting  every  moment  that 
the  timbers  of  the  low  ceiling  would  fall  upon  us,  or,  the 
foundations  give  way  beneath  our  tottering  feet; and  think- 


EDEN.  445 


ing  with  instinctive  terror,  of  the  lifeless  form  in  a  room 
which  we  dared  not  enter  at  such  a  time  ;  when  Dr.  Dwiglit 
came  out  of  his  room  with  his  watch  in  his  hand.  He  pass 
ed  into  the  parlor,  and  saw  that  all  was  right,  and  when  he 
returned,  the  shaking  had  ceased.  "  It  must  have  been  at 
least  five  or  six  minutes,"  I  said,  as  I  drew  a  breath  of  relief, 
for  in  the  interval,  my  life  had  passed  in  quick  review  before 
my  startled  mind.  "It  was  just  twenty-two  seconds"  he  re 
plied  ;  and  I  realized  as  never  before,  the  DURATION  OF  A 
MOMENT,  and  the  slumbering  forces  at  God's  command.) 

But  God  has  been  drawing  nearer  than  by  storm  or  earth 
quake,  speaking  again  with  the  still  small  voice  of  the  Spirit, 
and  the  pale  messenger,  Death,  warning  us  to  "  be  also 
ready,  for  in  such  an  hour  as  we  think  not,"  He  may  call 
us  hence  from  our  "  busy  work  forevermore."  Not,  as  here 
tofore,  a  lamb  of  the  flock,  but  our  bright,  joyous  missionary 
sister,  Mrs.  Williams,  suddenly  taken,  in  the  midst  of  joy 
and  health,  from  our  happy  circle,  (on  the  I5th  of  January., 
1865.)  "  We  looked  for  Life,  and  lo,  Death  !"  At  evening  of 
one  day,  reading  aloud,  with  much  enjoyment,  the  "  Schon- 
berg-Cotta  Chronicles;"  before  the  morning  dawned,  asleep 
in  Jesus  ;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  second  day,  laid  to  rest 
in  the  "  sacred  corner  "  by  the  little  sleepers  who  preceded 
her  the  last  summer.  Dr.  Nutting  had  arrived  from  Oorfa 
(Ur  of  the  Chaldees)  two  days  after  the  gift  of  a  little  daugh 
ter  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wheeler;  but  he  was  powerless  to  save 
or  aid  in  a  case  which  baffled  medical  skill,  and  could  only 
look  on  in  dismay  while  the  Angel  of  Death  performed  his 
rapid  work.  With  the  words,  "  I  come,  I  come  !"  she  went 
to  be  forever  with  the  Lord.  Mr.  Barnum  was  absent  that 
night  at  a  village,  little  dreaming  of  what  was  transpiring  in 


446  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

his  home.  Mr.  Allen  was  also  on  a  missionary  tour,  and  did 
not  return  till  some  days  after  the  funeral.  We  are  all  stunn 
ed  by  the  suddenness  of  the  blow.  Mr.  Williams  seems  like 
one  petrified.  For  the  third  time  has  his  house  been  left 
unto  him  desolate, — with  but  brief  intervals  of  domestic  hap 
piness,  during  a  missionary  life  of  seventeen  years.  So  lately 
was  it  rebuilt,  after  three  years  of  loneliness  and  desolation, 
and  now  it  is  again  laid  low  !  It  is  a  swift  and  terrible  destruc 
tion  of  hopes  and  joys;  but,  like  one  of  old,  he  says,  "  I  was 
dumb;  I  opened  not  my  mouth,  because  Thou  didst  it." 

And  now  comes  the  question  of  duty  respecting  the 

two  children,  the  sole  remnant  of  household  comfort,  and  of 
dear  domestic  joys,  to  whom  his  heart  the  more  closely  clings 
for  the  recent  bereavement  which  has  deprived  them  of  a 
home.  After  much  prayer  and  deliberation,  it  is  decided  to 
send  them  to  America  to  complete  their  education,  hitherto 
conducted  solely  by  their  parents.  But  how,  and  with  whom 
shall  the  long  over-land  journey  be  made  ?  This  is  soon 
made  clear  in  the  decision  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnum  to  pay 
a  farewell  visit  to  Mrs.  B.'s  aged  parents,  Dr.  and  Mrs- 
Goodell,  at  Constantinople,  who,  after  their  long  term  of 
missionary  service,  are  going  home  to  end  their  days  with 
their  children  in  the  United  States. 

The  five  missionary  children  have  spent  a  happy  and 
profitable  Winter  together  in  Harpoot.  They  have  greatly 
enjoyed  the  Sunday-school,  the  meetings  for  prayer,  and  the 
singing  lessons  conducted  by  one  of  the  "  Aunties."  A  little 
paper,  edited  in  turn  I  y  the  three  older  ones,  and  receiving 
original  contributions  from  their  seniors,  has  afforded  profit 
able  employment  for  le;sure  hours  ;  and  a  "  literary  entertain 
ment  "  given  by  them  one  evening  of  each  month,  has  been 
a  source  of  pleasure  to  all  the  circle. 


EDEN.  447 


But  now  the  notes  of  preparation  are  sounding  for  the 
prospective  journey  to  Marsovan,  Stamboul,  and  America. 
A  final  exercise  in  the  recitation  of  poetry,  declamation, 
singing,  and  reading  the  "  Bouquet,"  passes  off  very  pleas 
antly  ;  and  on  the  Sunday  evening  before  our  friends  depart, 
we  have  the  great  joy  of  seeing  the  two  children  who  are  to 
leave  us,  take  upon  them  the  vows  of  the  Lord  and  unite 
with  us  in  commemorating  His  death.  It  is  to  them  a 
precious  privilege  to  receive  the  elements  from  the  hand  of 
the  father  whom  they  almost  idolize ;  to  be  admitted  by 
him  to  the  fellowship  of  God's  children.  And  to  the  father 
it  is  an  unspeakable  comfort,  as  he  sends  them  forth  to  face, 
alone,  the  trials  and  conflicts  of  the  wide,  wide  world.  But 
there  is  a  slight  tremulousness  in  his  tones  which  touches 
every  heart,  when  he  takes  in  his  arms  the  sweet  babes  so 
lately  given  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wheeler,  saying,  in  the  name  of  the  Master,  "  Suffer  the 
little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of 
such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;'  "  baptizing  them  "  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

A   BROKEN  HOUSEHOLD. 

On  Wednesday,  the  last  of  March,  our  friends  began  their 
journey.  Miss  Fritcher,  who  remained  with  Miss  Pond  dur 
ing  the  Winter,  taking  this  opportunity  to  return  to  Marsovan, 
and  open  her  school.  Two  or  three  of  us  accompanied  them 
out  for  a  day's  travel-  The  final  parting  came  the  following 
morning,  in  the  dismal  khan  by  the  way-side,  where  Mr. 
Williams  conducted  family  worship,  reading  the  twelfth  of 
Hebrews;  we  united  in  singing,  "How  blest  the  tie  that 
binds;"  and  then  father  and  children  knelt  together  for  the 


44$  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


last  time,  while,  with  wonderful  self-control,  he  most  earn 
estly  and  impressively  committed  them  and  their  traveling 
companions  to  the  care  of  a  covenant-keeping  God. 

Little  Harry  Barnum  and  his  mamma  were  safely  stowed 
away  on  one  side  of  a  "moffah,"  with  Miss  F.  to  balance  on 
the  other  side  ;  the  others  mounted  their  horses  ;  the  last 
farewells  were  silently  given,  and  the  little  procession 
slowly  passed  on,  watched  by  loving  eyes  till  out  of 
sight;  and  then  commenced  the  lonely  return  from  the  old 
khan,  which  is  henceforth  known  by  the  missionary  circle 
as  "  Mizpah."  On  the  Sunday  evening  following,  the  re 
maining  members  of  the  little  band,  so  knit  together  by  sor 
row  and  suffering,  gather  to  enjoy  one  more  sermon  in  Eng 
lish  from  the  brother  who  is  so  soon  to  leave  them, — it  may  be 
never  to  return,  for  he  looks  worn  and  feeble  :  He  preaches 
eloquently  from  the  words,  "Be  careful  for  nothing;"  Phi- 
lippians  iv.  6, — dwelling  especially  upon  the  final  clause — 
"  And  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understanding, 
shall  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  through  Christ  Jesus." 
He  has  but  recently  returned  from  a  long  and  lonely  tour 
through  his  Arabic-speaking  field,  having  visited  Mosul,  on 
the  Tigris,  opposite  Nineveh,  which  was  for  years  the  centre 
of  missionary  operations  among  the  Assyrians,  till  he  alone 
survived  his  associates,  and  removed  to  a  more  healthful 
point. 

On  Tuesday  morning,  accompanied  by  his  faithful,  sturdy 
Yakob,  he  turns  his  face  towards  his  desolated,  solitary  home 
in  Mardin.  Loving  disciples  will  greet  his  coming  with  tears 
and  smik-s;  but  God  alone  can  know  the  depths  of  the 
heart  that  will  so  miss  the  loving  voices,  the  clinging 
hands,  the  quick  steps  of  those  who  will  come  no  more  ! 


EDEN.  449 


The  silence  will  be  fearful.  Not  one  in  all  that  city  to  speak 
a  word  in  his  mother-tongue ;  not  one  to  sustain  his  courage 
when  faith  faints  by  the  way-side,  and  hope  is  ready  to  die. 
He  is  left  alone  with  God,  as  truly  as  the  beloved  John  in  the 
"  isle  called  Patmos,  for  the  Word  of  God,  and  for  the  testi 
mony  of  Jesus  Christ."  But  the  sight  is  sublime  ! — A  single 
sentinel,  faithful  unto  death,  standing  upon  the  mountains 
of  Jebel  Toor,  and  holding  aloft  the  Gospel  standard,  over 
all  that  vast  region  lying  in  darkness,  and  the  shadow  of 
death, — uncheered,  unsolaced  by  present,  personal,  earthly 
companionship  or  sympathy  !  Ah  !  surely  the  angels  come 
down  to  hover  around  the  solitary  path-way  of  one  who,  like 
his  Master,  is  a  "man  of  sorrows,  acquainted  with  grief." 
Yea,  the  Master  Himself  comes,  according  to  the  promise, — 
"/  will  not  leave  you  comfortless:  7  will  come  to  you:'' 
And,  "  blest  with  this  fellowship  divine,"  sorrow  and  loneli 
ness  are  robbed  of  their  bitterest  sting.  In  the  dreary,  prison- 
like  dwelling — where  the  months  seem  like  so  many  years,  and 
the  years  like  a  life-time, — so  solemnly  and  slowly  do  they 
come  and  go,  unbroken  by  voice  of  wife,  or  child,  or  mission 
ary  brother,  and  unrelieved  by  the  little  ripples  in  the  current 
of  every-day  domestic  life, — one  might  hear  the  soft  tones  of 
the  flute  with  which  the  solitary  pilgrim  beguiles  his  leisure 
moments  in  tuning  his  heart  to  heavenly  melodies.  And 
when  "  unseen  hands  roll  back  "  the  Golden  Gates  through 
which,  one  by  one,  his  household  treasures  vanished  from 
sight,  and  faith's  keen  vision  sees  the  glory  grow,  till  earth's 
dim  shadows  are  lighted  with  the  reflection  from  within,  and 
the  spirit  desires  to  "  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far 
better,"  the  "  Angel  of  His  Presence  "  whispers, — 


450  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


"  Not  now,  my  child  ; — a  little  more  rough  tossing, 

A  little  longer  on  the  billow's  foam, 
A  few  more  journeyings  in  the  desert-darkness 
And  then  the  sunshine  of  thy  Father's  Home. 

"  Not  now  ; — for  I  have  wanderers  in  the  distance, 
And  thou  must  call  them  in  with  patient  love  ; 
Not  now;  for  I  have  sheep  upon  the  mountains, 
And  thou  must  follow  them  where'er  they  rove.' 

The  Winter  is  over  and  gone.  April  showers,  long  con 
tinued,  dripping  and  drizzling,  or  coming  down  steadily  and 
abundantly  day  after  day,  have  thickly  sprinkled  with  tiny 
flowers  of  every  hue,  the  hills  where  we  take  our  walks  and 
rides;  and  green  grass  is  springing,  where  a  few  weeks  ago 
numbers  of  gay  tulips  were  bursting  from  the  bare  brown 
bosom  of  mother  earth. 

The  schools  have  commenced  their  regular  sessions,  and 
we  resume  our  daily  round  of  duties  in  preparing  work 
ers  for  this  extensive  field-  Miss  Pond  is  diligently  study 
ing  the  language,  and  when  she  is  ready  to  assume  her 
position  at  the  head  of  this  most  important  Training-School, 
I  shall  resign  my  temporary  occupancy,  in  order  to  carry 
out  a  long-cherished  plan  of  visiting  all  the  former  pupils  of 
the  Constantinople  school,  in  their  widely-scattered  homes, 
and  inciting  them  to  greater  diligence  in  their  Christian  call 
ing,  and  personal  responsibility  in  evangelizing  their  people. 
For  the  present,  the  path  of  duty  seems  plain.  "  Both  hands 
of  Providence  point  to  your  stay  for  the  Summer,"  say  these 
friends ;  and  they  have  signified  their  desire  for  at  least  two 
or  three  years  more  of  my  service  in  this  field.  Our  school 
numbers  thirty-four  pupils,  girls  and  women.  The  damp, 
chilly  air  of  the  school-rooms,  at  this  season,  affects  us  unfa 
vorably  ;  the  assistant  teacher  is  suffering  from  influenza, 


EDEN.  451 


and  is  unable  to  render  any  aid  in  the  hard  work  of  the  first 
few  weeks,  and  four  of  the  boarders  are  ill  with  what  ap 
pears  to  be  typhus  fever,  greatly  increasing  our  cares,  and 
interrupting  our  progress. 

But  the  voice  of  health  is  once  more  heard  among  the 
missionary  families,  and  we  anticipate  a  pleasant  Summer 
campaign. 

ANNIVERSARIES. 

Our  national  birthday  of  freedom  finds  us  on  these  distant 
heights — in  the  land  which  was  the  cradle  of  the  human 
race — the  land  of  Ararat,  the  country,  if  not  the  Garden  of 
Eden,  where  we  may  suppose  our  first  parents  wandered  af 
ter  their  expulsion  from  Paradise,  and  obtained  their  bread 
by  the  sweat  of  their  brow.  And  we,  their  self-exiled  chil 
dren,  are  striving  to  undo  the  mischief  which  their  disobe 
dience  brought  on  these  fair  plains,  and  among  these  smiling 
valleys  and  rugged  mountains.  Alas  !  how  thickly  the  thorns 
and  thistles  grow  in  this  aged  soil  of  Satan's  tillage;  oft  times 
choking  the  "  good  seed  "  which  needs  such  constant  watch 
and  care  ! 

It  is  a  grand  point  from  which  to  look  out  upon 
the  world,  and  survey  the  rush  and  conflict  of  nations,  the 
march  of  progress,  the  ground-swell  of  thought  and  feeling, 
the  shock  of  battle,  and  the  tide  of  Avar — all  pointing  with 
unerring  finger  to  the  glorious  consummation  which  is  surely 
hastening  on,  when  "  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  shall  be 
come  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord,  and  of  His  Christ,  and  He 
shall  reign  forever  and  ever  !" 

The  Fourth  of  July  dawns  so  brightly  that,  notwithstand 
ing  our  previous  resolve  to  pass  it  by  without  any  special 
celebration,  because  of  so  many  interruptions  to  our  work, 


452  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


our  enthusiasm  awakens,  and  it  is  the  unanimous  vote  of 
both  houses,  that  the  anniversary  is  too  glorious  not  to  call 
forth  some  expressions  of  patriotism.  The  schools  go  on  as 
usual,  but  between  the  recitations  there  are  hurryings  to  and 
fro,  and  eager  consultations,  groupings  here  and  there,  and 
earnest  whisperings  from  one  end  of  the  konak  to  the  other. 
Occasionally,  when  I  appear  upon  the  scene  of  action,  a  star 
tled  cry  of  surprise  and  alarm  from  the  children  causes  me 
to  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  lest  I  should,  unwittingly,  discover 
their  "  secret," — reminding  us  of  similar  scenes  at  Christmas 
time. 

Some  of  us  are  intent  upon  getting  up  suitable  mottoes, 
cutting  letters  from  green  cambric,  and  pasting  them  upon 
.white  cloth,  for  which  purpose  we  use  one  of  our  curtains. 
Surely,  no  one  can  say,  after  this,  that  we  haven't  made  a  sacri 
fice  for  our  country  !  The  arbor  on  the  upper  terrace  is  rejuve 
nated  for  the  occasion  by  fresh  branches  brought  from  the 
gardens,  a  mile  or  so  away.  The  long  seat  is  covered  with 
cushions,  carpets  are  spread  upon  the  ground  for  our  feet, 
and  the  supper-table  placed  in  the  centre.  This  is  gotten  up  in 
tasteful  style  by  the  busy  housewives,  and  presents  an  appe 
tizing  aspect.  Cold  fowl,  tongue,  bread,  biscuits,  sweet 
meats,  cakes,  and  cherries,  surround  a  cake  pyramid  which 
forms  the  centre-piece,  crowned  by  a  beautiful  little  flag ; 
and  the  white  cloth  upon  which  they  are  spread,  is  graceful 
ly  looped  up  with  clusters  of  flowers.  The  mottoes  are 
hung  around  the  sides  of  our  bower,  and  a  picture  of  Wash 
ington  is  suspended  near  one  of  President  Lincoln,  which  is 
wreathed  with  soft,  fleecy  folds  of  white  crape,  tied  with 
black  ribbons,  and  entwined  with  delicate  Avhite  roses,  and 
tiny,  drooping  buds.  When  the  glowing  sun  is  nearing  the 


EDEN.  453 


horizon,  we  gather  for  our  evening  celebration,  and  the 
shouts  of  the  children  as  they  catch  sight  of  these  prepara 
tions,  are  very  enlivening.  The  ladies  are  dressed,  in  white, 
with  decorations  of  red,  white,  and  blue,  and  even  the  two 
babies  display  their  patriotism  in  the  national  colors.  The 
boys  icpeatedly  fire  a  toy  cannon,  but  are  happily  without 
the  pestilential  fire-crackers,  which  too  often  make  the  day 
a  nuisance  at  home.  The  mimic  march  in  military  array  is 
enlivened  by  the  fife  and  drum — a  feeble  imitation  of  martial 
music — performed  by  the  papas  whom  they  have  impressed 
into  the  service,  while  the  rest  of  the  company  must  needs 
join  in  the  procession,  and  swell  the  chorus  of  their  songs. 

As  the  king  of  day  disappears  behind  the  mountains,  leav 
ing  the  sky  all  aglow  with  a  flood  of  rosy  light,  which  bathes 
the  great  plain  stretching  away  at  our  feet  in  its  changing 
hues,  till  its  waving  harvest-fields,  its  brown  pasture-grounds, 
and  verdant  vineyards  seem  like  a  magnificent  mosaic,  glit 
tering  with  precious  gems, — and  purple  shadows  p]ay  upon 
the  hills  around  us — we  sit  beneath  our  "  booth,"  and  par 
take  of  the  dainlies  and  delectables  which  loving  hearts  and 
skillful  hands  have  specially  provided  for  our  entertainment 
on  this  occasion, — undaunted  by  the  fear  that  some  Madame 
Pfeiffer  who  has  come  to  spy  out  the  land,  will  carry  back 
a  false  report  of  luxurious  living  among  foreign  missionaries  ! 
(This  Swedish  traveller,  many  years  ago,  visited  Constanti 
nople,  and  Oroomiah  in  Persia :  and,  after  receiving  every 
attention  from  the  missionaries, — who  brought  out  their 
choicest  delicacies  to  honor  their  guest, — she  gave  the  world 
a  naming  story  of  their  "  extravagance !  "  The  fact  is, 
that  the  contrast  of  home- comforts,  however  simple, 
after  weeks  of  travel  in  such  a  country,  makes  the  change 


454  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


from  tents,  and  khans,  and  poor  fare,  seem  like  the  great 
est  luxury.) 

Tea  and  coffee  are  served  from  a  side  table,  and  snow 
brought  from  an  ice  cave  a  few  miles  distant  (which,  strange 
to  say,  is  warm  in  Winter,  probably  owing  to  its  being  closed 
from  currents  of  air),  furnishes  us  with  the  unwonted  luxury 
of  ice  cream.  Oranges  and  lemons,  like  other  tropical 
fruits,  are  unknown  in  this  region,  but  sherbet,  made  by 
mixing  the  juices  of  cooling  acid  fruits  with  water,  forms  a 
refreshing  beverage. 

After  the  repast,  of  which  we  partake  with  keen  zest,  is 
concluded,  and  the  happy,  weary  little  ones  have  been  put 
to  rest,  we  sit  in  the  "  door  of  our  tent,"  and  commune  of 
things  past,  present,  and  prospective. 

The  heavens  bend  protectingly  down  over  our  hill-top, — an 
immense  canopy  of  the  purest  sapphire  ;  and  from  our  lofty 
lookout,  mountain  ranges,  with  their  snowy  peaks,  form 
a  grand  background  to  our  sweep  of  vision.  Soon  the  moon 
and  stars,  "  walking  in  brightness,"  look  down  upon  us, 
and  heaven  seems  very  near.  The  "  feast  of  reason  and  the 
flow  of  soul  "  is  prolonged  to  a  late  hour,  in  the  soothing 
calm  and  hush  of  the  night  air;  and  before  we  descend  to 
our  respective  rooms,  with  grateful  hearts,  looking  backward, 
and  forward,  and  upward,  we  join  our  voices  in  an  ascription 
of  praise  to  "  Him  from  whom  all  blessings  flow,"  and  once 
more  commit  our  beloved  country,  with  all  its  interests,  to 
the  keeping  of  our  fathers'  God. 

SUMMER    WORK   AND    WARFARE. 
The  post  from  Constantinople  brings  fresh  accounts  of  the 
ravages  made  by  cholera  and  the  desolation  that  is  sweeping 


EDEN.  455 


over  the  Capital  from  that  scourge  of  Eastern  cities.  The 
mortality  has  reached  the  number  of  eight  hundred  per  day, 
and  a  perfect  panic  prevails  among  the  great  mass  of  the 
people,  so  that  almost  all  places  of  business  are  closed.  The 
head  of  the  Protestant  nation  was  one  of  the  victims 
of  the  plague,  and  after  his  death,  his  son  set  fire  to 
the  house  and  hung  himself!  The  old  man  had  become 
perfectly  unmanageable,  and  the  state  of  things  under  his 
control  was  growing  too  bad  to  be  longer  endured  ;  there 
fore,  the  dispensation  seems  rather  merciful  than  otherwise 
in  his  case.  But  at  such  times,  Orientals  generally  show  a 
fearful  lack  of  self-control,  and  even  the  simplest  amount  of 
common  sense  in  taking  the  most  ordinary  precautions  re 
specting  diet,  clothing,  etc.  Many  a  man  regales  himself 
with  unripe  fruit,  melons,  unpeeled  cucumbers,  etc.,  etc.,  at 
the  close  of  the  day,  and  sleeps  his  last  sleep  before  the 
morning  dawns!  And  while  his  friends  give  way  to  the 
most  frantic  demonstrations  of  grief,  they  speedily  go  and 
do  likewise,  in  their  utter  improvidence  and  childish  folly, 
till  entire  households  are  swept  away. 

A  Greek  family  were  once  living  opposite  us  at  Constan 
tinople,  during  a  summer  vacation,  and  we  assisted  in  caring 
for  its  members  when  they  were  smitten  by  cholera — and 
their  neighbors  had  fled  :  soon  one  after  another  were  taken 
away,  till  only  the  aged  grandmother  remained  to  bewail  her 
desolation,  and  the  sad  fate  which  doomed  her  to  poverty, 
since  in  the  absence  of»an  heir  her  property  must  revert  to 
the  government,  even  in  her  life-time,  according  to  Turkish 
law.  Possibly,  one  room  in  her  own  house  might  be  granted 
her,  as  a  favor,  but  that  was  all ! 

But  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnum  are  now  on  their  return  from  a 


THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


visit  to  the  old  home  at  Hasskeuy,  and  their  letters  are 
filled  with  painful  details  of  the  dangers  through  which  they 
have  passed  since  leaving  Stamboul,  and  the  frightful  scenes 
they  have  witnessed  in  the  crowded  steamer  on  the  Black 
Sea,  and  during  a  week  of  quarantine  in  Samsoon,  at  this 
most  sickly  season  of  that  fever-stricken  port.  We  are 
very  anxious  for  their  safety;  they  have  been  so  exposed  to 
malaria,  and  the  most  deadly  form  of  disease,  that  it  would 
not  be  strange  if  it  should  develop  while  they  are  in  Marso- 
van,  or  on  the  journey  beyond. 

And  our  hearts  almost  tremble  when  we  think  what  may 
be  the  fate  of  our  friends  at  Constantinople,  in  the  midst  of 
the  fearful  plague. 

We  know  not  what  sad  tidings  another  mail  may  bring  us, 
and  the  suspense  is  very  trying  and  exciting  to  our  nerves. 
But  God  is  over  all,  and  in  all;  and  again  we  turn  to  Him, 
as  "  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in  trouble ; 
therefore,  will  not  we  fear." 

Fortunately,  we  have  not  to  undergo  the  tedious  delay  of 
the  post  which  frequently  occurs  during  the  Winter  months, 
when  heavy  snows  and  storms  hinder  travel,  and  we  wait 
two,  three,  and  even  four  weeks  to  hear  from  the  world 
without. 

But  our  suspense,  however  unendurable  it  may  seem 
when  our  hearts  are  heavy  with  unspoken  fears  for  loved 
ones  far  away,  is  nothing  in  comparison  with  that  of  mis 
sionaries  in  Micronesia,  who  receive  their  mail  but  once  in 
twelve  or  even  fourteen  months ! 

With  what  conflicting  emotions  must  they  look  upon  the 
packages  of  letters,  the  bundles  of  (weekly)  newspapers, 
brought  them  by  the  "  Morning  Star  "  in  her  yearly  visit  to  the 


EDEN.  457 

Islands  where,  for  the  love  of  Christ,  they  spend  their  lives 
in  voluntary  exile  !  Opening  those  of  the  latest  date,  they 
read  backward  through  the  months,  till  they  take  up  the 
thread  of  events  where  it  was  dropped  a  year  ago.  And  af 
ter  a  day  or  two  of  such  intense  excitement,  it  is  no  marvel 
if  some  of  the  "  weaker  vessels  "  should  succumb  beneath 
the  heavy  weight  of  such  an  avalanche  of  news ;  such  an  accu 
mulation  of  thought  and  feeling  in  connection  with  public 
events,  and  the  more  private  burden  of  joys  and  sorrows, 
hopes  and  fears,  linked  with  kindred  so  widely  separated, 
which  thrills  every  fibre  of  their  being ! 

The  epidemic  seems  to  be  spreading  through  the  country, 
though  now  that  the  heat  is  beginning  to  subside,  toward 
the  latter  part  of  August,  it  may  spend  most  of  its  fury  at  the 
seaboard. 

The  Pasha  of  this  district  lately  sent  for  Dr.  Harooteun, 
one  of  Dr.  West's  pupils,  who  is  settled  in  Harpoot,  and  re 
quested  him  to  telegraph  to  Aleppo,  and  inquire  whether 
the  cholera  had  commenced  there.  He  did  so,  and  the  an 
swer  was,  "Eight  or  ten  are  dying  daily."  The  old  Pasha 
wrung  his  hands  in  dismay,  saying,  ''What  shall  I  do? 
What**;/  I  do?" 

"  Have  the  city  well  cleansed ;  "  said  the  doctor.  He 
caught  at  the  idea,  and  at  once  appointed  Harooteun  su 
perintendent,  with  full  powers  to  carry  out  his  own 
plans. 

So  we  are  having  what  old  Dinah  would  call  a  regular 
"  clarin'  up,"  in  this  Turkish  town ;  and  only  wish  the  dis 
pensation  might  forever  remain  in  force  ! 

There  is  something  peculiar  in  the  atmosphere  this  season. 
The  mercury  has  never  risen  above  ninety  degrees  in  the 
20 


453  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


shade,  but  it  has  been  oppressively  warm,  a  suffocating  air, 
yet  withal  inducing  a  general  tendency  to  take  cold. 

During  the  most  oppressive  weather,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen 
pitched  their  tent  in  a  garden  about  a  mile  from  the  city,  for 
the  sake  of  their  little  one,  who  pined  in  the  pent-up,  stifling 
heat  of  the  town ;  and  occasionally  some  of  our  number  have 
gone  out  to  breakfast  with  them,  in  primitive  style.  But  re 
cently,  the  upper  terrace  has  received  their  patriarchal  tab 
ernacle,  and  an  awning  extending  from  one  end,  affords  ac 
commodation  for  Miss  P.  and  myself.  There  we  place  our 
traveling  bedsteads,  and  find  much  better  air  than  in  the 
house, — though  occasionally  annoyed  by  the  unexpected  ad 
vent  of  cats  and  dogs,  who  come  unceremoniously  climbing 
over  the  earth  walls,  and  rattle  the  stones  and  dust  about  our 
heads !  The  heavens  present  a  magnificent  spectacle  these 
Summer  nights,  and  fill  the  soul  with  calm  delight  as  one 
gazes  upon  the  vast  expanse  of  gleaming,  burning  stars,  and 
constellations,  in  this  electric  atmosphere.  I  never  saw 
them  on  so  grand  a  scale  as  here !  But  though  stars  shine 
and  burn,  and  winds  blow,  we  are  not  long  awake  to  see  or 
hear.  Our  flock  of  girls  are  all  camped  down  in  their  play 
ground  below,  with  their  beds  spread  on  mats,  and  the  roofs 
of  dwellings  beyond  the  enclosure  are  covered  with  fami 
lies  of  various  households;  so  we  draw  our  expansive  old 
sun-bonnet  over  our  head,  and  sleep  securely  and  sweetly 
beneath  the  watchful  eye  of  the  great  Father  and  Shepherd 
of  Israel. 

Our  brief  vacation  of  two  weeks  was  mostly  occupied  in 
writing  letters  which  were  due  to  friends  at  home,  and 
throughout  the  Turkish  Empire,  and  in  plying  the  needle,  to 
bring  up  arrears  in  our  necessary  wardrobe.  And  now 


EDEN.  459 


school  duties  claim  most  of  our  available  time  and  strength. 
Thirteen  of  our  pupils  will  graduate  in  the  Autumn,  and  much 
must  be  done  for  them  before  they  are  scattered,  from  Dan 
to  Beersheba,  throughout  this  land.  O,  how  much  wisdom, 
grace,  and  patience  is  needed  to  teach  and  train  them  aright ! 

They  look  up  to  me  with  a  sort  of  reverential  awe,  mingled 
with  love,  and  I  can  do  what  I  will  with  them ;  but  it  is  the 
hardest  of  all  work  to  inculcate  the  principle  of  obedience  ! 

This  acting  conscientiously  in  little  things,  is  all  new  to 
them.  And  too  often  they  seem  to  regard  a  rule,  or  an  in 
junction,  of  but  small  account  after  a  few  days  have  passed 
away.  I  am  sometimes  reminded  by  their  excuses,  of  a 
negro  who  told  his  master  that  his  conscience  wouldn't  let  him 
do  what  he  was  bid.  "  Your  conscience,  you  rascal !  What 
do  you  call  conscience  ?  "  "  Why,  massa,  it's  something  in 
here  (striking  his  breast)  that  says  '  I  WON'T  ! ' ' 

The  thought  which  most  helps  one  in  dealing  with  them, 
is  that  of  God's  long-suffering  and  patience  with  us  in  His 
Training-School !  A  number  of  our  married  pupils  are  oc 
casionally  kept  away  from  school  by  their  own  illness,  or 
that  of  their  children,  and  the  sight  of  their  narrow  quarters 
— each  family  occupying  but  one  room — the  lack  of  much 
that  we  deem  essential  to  comfort,  touches  one's  heart  with 
a  sense  of  ingratitude  to  the  Great  Giver. 

We  are  going  to  teach  the  women  how  to  make  the  most 
of  their  little ;  to  keep  their  rooms  more  tidy,  and  add  a  few 
embellishments ;  and  the  girls  are  to  aid  them  in  making  gar 
ments  for  the  children  :  But  we  must  be  careful  lest  we  help 
them  too  much,  and  thus  do  harm.  The  inspiration  to 
self-help  and  self-respect  is  that  which  they  most  need. 
Their  husbands  are  preparing  for  and  looking  to  the  Pastorate, 


460  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


as  the  grand  ultimatum  of  their  hopes  and  aims,  when  they 
will  be  supported  by  their  own  people,  and  gradually  rise 
to  solid  comfort,  and  more  than  ordinary  respectability  in 
social  and  domestic  life.  Our  efforts  have  been  already  bless 
ed  in  a  marked  transformation  of  personal  appearance,  mind 
and  manners  of  many  in  both  schools,  and  we  look  with 
confidence  for  yet  greater  things. 

THE   PARSONAGE. 

Riding  across  the  hills  one  day,  after  school,  I  met  a  com 
pany  of  men  and  boys,  belonging  to  the  Protestant  commu 
nity,  headed  by  Mr.  Wheeler,  who  were  dragging  to  the  city 
the  trunks  of  trees  which  they  had  just  felled  in  a  neighbor 
ing  garden  or  field,  for  the  new  parsonage. 

They  were  in  high  glee  over  the  novel  undertaking,  and 
it  did  one's  heart  good  to  see  their  enthusiasm. 

A  couple  of  the  younger  lads  called  my  attention  to  a  sap 
ling  which  they  had  cut  down  and  were  bearing  in  triumph 
to  the  town  ;  and  I  noticed  that  the  "  badveli  "  had  hold  of 
one  of  the  heaviest  timbers,  and  inspired  all  the  rest  by  his 
zeal  and  energy,  while  he  was  as  full  of  fun  and  frolic  as  the 
youngest  and  merriest  of  the  party.  It  was  a  genuine 
"  minister's  bee,"  or,  as  some  might  think,  a  sort  of  religious 
"  spree,"  for  these  trees  were  probably  <l  foreordained,"  and 
grown  expressly  for  the  pastor's  house ! 

The  people  were  stirred  up  to  contribute  for  this  purpose 
months  ago,  but  it  became  evident  that  the  thing  would 
never  be  really  accomplished  unless  some  Nehemiah  should 
arise  to  lead  the  enterprise  and  push  matters  to  a  final  con 
clusion.  So  Mr.  Wheeler  threw  himself  into  the  work,  heart 
and  soul,  with  all  the  intense  earnestness  and  force  of  his 


EDEN.  461 


nature.  The  foundations  were  soon  laid,  and  the  walls  began 
to  go  up  under  his  vigorous  administration. 

Morning,  noon,  and  night  found  him  on  the  ground  put 
ting  his  own  hands  to  the  work,  and  thus  securing  much 
voluntary  labor  on  the  part  of  the  people,  who  were  inspired 
to  do  likewise  by  an  example  which  made  manual  labor  no 
disgrace.  Never  did  sun-dried  bricks  fly  more  swiftly  into 
their  proper  place  than  when  tossed  up  to  his  quick  hands 
by  those  below,  as  he  toiled  beneath  the  burning  sun,  while 
the  perspiration  gathered  in  large  drops  upon  his  heated 
face,  and  matted  the  hair  which  fell  around  his  brow.  Day 
after  day,  week  after  week  the  work  went  on,  till  the  good 
wife,  whose  dinner  often  cooled,  and  whose  tea  waited  long 
for  his  coming,  was  tempted  to  complain  of  the  engrossing 
labor  which  so  consumed  his  time  and  strength,  and  made 
him  oblivious  to  his  own  personal  needs.  But  his  reply — 
"  It  is  not  alone  for  the  City,  that  this  parsonage  is  being 
built,  but  as  an  example  for  all  the  churches  on  the  plain," — 
showed  the  impelling  motive  and  keen  sagacity  of  the 
worker. 

And  now  it  is  a  finished  fact — a  neat,  convenient,  commo 
dious  dwelling,  with  kitchen,  dining,  and  store-room  below, 
and  parlor,  study,  and  two  sleeping-rooms  above,  with  hall 
and  staircase  in  the  centre.  It  is  near  Mr.  Barnum's,  and 
is  fully  as  good  as  the  house  built  for  his  occupation.  We 
have  just  been  present  at  the  "  house-warming,"  and  added 
our  gifts  to  those  which  the  people  were  incited  to  bestow 
upon  their  beloved  and  honored  pastor,  on  the  occasion  so 
new  and  so  interesting  to  him  and  to  them.  A  fur-lined 
coat,  a  few  loads  of  coal,  wood,  and  provisions  of  various 
kinds,  were  among  their  offerings,  and  a  goodly  company 


462  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


gathered  in  the  new  dwelling  to  testify,  by  looks  and  words, 
the  joy  of  their  hearts  over  the  auspicious  event.  The  pastor's 
wife  had  fitted  up  her  parlor  in  neat  and  tasteful  style — a 
carpet  of  native  manufacture  on  the  floor,  a  divan  arrayed  in 
a  pretty  chintz,  with  white  covers,  a  sweet-toned  melodeon — 
purchased  with  her  savings  and  earnings — at  which  she  pre 
sides  with  skillful  touch  and  ready  reading  of  music ;  a 
sheet-iron  stove  in  the  corner,  for  Winter  use,  a  few  simple 
pictures  and  pressed  leaves  and  flowers  on  the  white-washed 
walls,  with  a  vase  or  two  of  roses,  and  a  few  books,  gave  the 
room  a  very  home-like  appearance.  I  felt  quite  proud  of 
my  old  pupil,  as  I  surveyed  the  skill  and  neatness  of  her 
handiwork  throughout  the  new  abode.* 

Several  congratulatory  speeches  were  made  on  the  occa 
sion  by  the  missionaries  and  the  brethren,  and  the  pastor 
responded  most  appropriately  for  himself  and  his  wife,  to 
whom  he  bore  a  happy  testimony  of  growing  esteem  and 
affection  as  the  partner  of  his  joys  and  sorrows. 

The  remainder  of  the  evening  was  devoted  to  music,  social 
conversation,  and  a  few  simple  games,  calculated  to  awaken 
thought  and  promote  general  sociability.  This  was  new 
to  some  of  the  company,  and  they  held  back  till  they  should 
learn  the  method  of  procedure.  But  the  pastor,  though 
naturally  quiet  and  sedate,  entered  into  the  spirit  of  the  play, 
and  several  times  carried  off  the  palm. 

We  had  introduced  the  question,  "  What  is  my  thought 
like  !"  And  after  going  the  rounds,  he  asked,  "  Why  is  that 
stove-pipe  like  a  hair  of  my  head  ?"  When  many  puzzling 


*  The  contrast  to  her  appearance  when  under  school  training, — as 
described  in  a  former  chapter, — caused  a  fresh  song  of  gratitude  to 
God. 


EDEN.  463 


attempts  had  been  made  to  trace  the  exact  analogy,  he  stated 
the  fact,  which  was  quite  new  and  strange  to  some  of  the 
brethren,  and  caused  them  to  open  their  eyes :  "  Because  it 
is  a  tube,  and  contains  a  dark  liquid,  or  coloring  matter." 
A  truth  which  we  learn  to  our  sorrow  in  this  country,  where 
the  dark,  dripping  acid  from  stove-pipes  so  often  disfigures 
walls  and  carpets. 

DIVERSIONS  AND  RECREATION. 

The  "  rhyming  game  "  does  not  go  well  in  Armenian, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  the  language  is  so  poor  in  monosyl 
lables  ;  but  in  our  little  missionary  circle  it  often  proves  a 
pleasant  diversion,  especially  when  we  wish  to  turn  the  cur 
rent  of  thought  from  the  customary  channel — the  all-absorb 
ing  theme  of  missionary  work. 

"  I  have  a  word  which  rhymes  with  pole,"  says  one.  "  Is 
it  that  which  we  all  possess  ?"  u  No,  it  is  not  soul."  "  Is 
it  that  to  which  our  steps  are  tending?"  "No,  it  is  not 
goal."  And  so  on,  till  at  last  a  brother,  who  has  bestowed 
some  thought  on  the  definition,  puts  the  question,  "  Is  it  a 
local  interruption  of  continuity  of  surface  ?" 

"  It  is  '  hole.'  "  And  that  leads  to  another  more  witty, 
though  not  original,  definition,  which  well  describes  some  of 
the  ragged  specimens  we  see  in  this  region.  "  A  hole  is  a 
portion  of  space  surrounded  by  circumstances,  according  to 
the  nature  of  the  case."  Alas,  for  the  "  circumstances  "  in 
some  parts  of  Turkey  !  Mr.  Williams  says  that  in  the  region 
he  has  recently  visited,  there  is  scarcely  enough  of  the  orig 
inal  fabric  left  to  form  a  border  for  the  "  portions  of  space," 
in  the  would-be  coverings  of  the  people. 

It  is  often  absolutely  necessary  to  start  a  diversion  of  this 


464  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

kind  as  a  relief  to  the  constant  strain  and  wearing  excite 
ment  of  cares  and  questions  which  weigh  heavily  upon  our 
minds,  and  ofttimes  intrude  their  presence  upon  the  hours 
which  should  be  devoted  to  sleep.  We  come  together,  at 
konak  or  cottage,  for  our  weekly  reunion,  and  after  a  little 
general  conversation,  the  gentlemen  very  naturally  get  their 
heads  together  over  some  unsettled  case,  some  knotty  ques 
tion,  or  difficult  problem.  It  is  a  Christian  kindness,  if  not 
duty,  to  draw  them,  perforce,  if  need  be,  into  a  game  of 
"  Blindman's-Buff  "  or  "  Puss  in  the  Corner,"  with  the  chil 
dren,  who  are  never  so  happy  as  when  the  grown  people  join 
in  their  plays  and  promote  their  sport.  It  is  no  small  thing 
to  scatter  flowers  in  the  pathway  of  the  young  lives  that 
have  so  few  sources  of  amusement  open  to  them.  And  the 
"Auntie,"  who  in  some  degree  supplies  the  place  of  the 
paternal  or  maternal  sister  whom  they  have  never  seen,  is 
often  called  away  from  graver  sittings  to  teach  them  some 
new  game,  or  start  an  old  one,  "  Because,"  they  plead,  "  we 
can't  do  anything  without  her  !"  And  their  common  saying? 
"  Auntie,  and  the  rest  of  us  children,"  has  become  a  house 
hold  word.  Dear  children  !  Constant  intercourse  with  their 
fresh  young  life  and  thought,  is  a  perpetual  blessing,  and 
serves  to  keep  one  who  has  no  home-ties  from  becoming 
dwarfed  and  cramped  in  nature,  and  stiff  and  angular  in 
ways  of  thinking  and  doing. 

What  should  we  do  without  the  enticing  attractions  and 
merry  frolics,  which  afford  so  much  of  healthful  exercise  and 
recreation,  when  there  is  scarcely  any  other  wry  to  unbend 
the  overtaxed  brain  and  nerves  ?  The  out-gushing  love  of 
their  young  hearts  is  an  unspeakable  solace  and  source  of 
enjoyment  in  the  absence  of  one's  own  kindred. 


EDEN.  465 


On  one  occasion  a  tea-table  was  prepared  especially  for 
the  children,  with  a  little  book  or  picture  placed  beneath 
each  plate  as  a  surprise.  When  we  were  all  gathered,  and 
the  blessing  had  been  asked,  the  treasures  were  discovered, 
and  a  shout  of  joy  arose.  "O  !"  said  wee  Willie,  "I  love 
Auntie  the  lotscst  of  anybody!"  "  No,  you  don't,"  asserted 
another  little  one  ;  "  I  love  her  the  bcstest"  u  But  I  love 
Jesus  more,"  chimed  in  a  thoughtful  child.  And  that  was 
the  sweetest  of  all. 

"Auntie,"  said  a  quiet  little  fellow,  who  had  sought  my 
room  for  a  brief  visit,  his  heart  overflowing  with  a  love 
which  he  knew  not  how  to  express,  "  Auntie,  would  you  cry 
if  I  had  never  been  born  ?"  When  I  explained  that  if  he  had 
never  existed  he  could  never  be  missed,  the  little  five-year- 
old  put  the  question  in  a  more  tangible  and  worldly  form : 
"Auntie,  if  I  was  a  man,  would  you  marry  me?" 

These  missionary  children  have  few  playmates  or  compan 
ions  of  their  own  years,  for  they  cannot  mingle  indiscrim 
inately  with  those  of  the  country  without  serious  danger  of 
moral  injury. 

They  learn  the  various  languages  spoken  by  the  people 
with  far  more  facility  and  idiomatic  accuracy  than  their  parents, 
and  coin  words  in  English  to  suit  their  needs  of  expression, 
often  affording  their  seniors  much  amusement  by  their  quaint 
sayings  and  interminglings  of  the  dialects  which  they  so 
readily  pick  up.  Standing  upon  a  lofty  summit,  and  sur 
veying  the  far-reaching  landscape  before  them,  one  of  these 
children  says  to  the  other,  "Look,  look!  how  spready  !" 
And  another  enthusiastic  youngster  who  is  too  eager  and 
impatient  to  wait  for  the  tardy  opening  of  doors  on  Christ 
mas  morning,  that  he  may  run  over  to  the  next  house  where 
20* 


466  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

the  presents  are  to  be  distributed,  climbs  out  of  the  window 
and  over  a  wall,  to  satisfy  his  curiosity.  When  he  is  found, 
and  his  parents  remonstrate,  he  innocently  says,  "  I  couldn't 
wait,  I  was  so  bursty  /" 

Their  confidence  in,  and  admiration  for,  their  parents,  i? 
delightful  to  witness,  though  somewhat  peculiar  in  its  mani 
festation  at  times,  owing  to  ideas  gathered  from  the  people 
among  whom  they  dwell.  Noticing  that  one  of  the  smaller 
boys,  who  had  a  remarkably  clear,  sweet  voice,  kept  up  a 
singular,  grumbling  sort  of  accompaniment  in  the  singing  at 
family  worship  one  morning,  I  afterwards  inquired  the  cause 
of  the  remarkable  change  in  his  tones.  He  was  rather 
reluctant  to  confess  the  reason,  but  said,  as  the  color  mounted 
to  his  face,  "  I  was  singing  like  my  papa  !"  "  Yes,  but  your 
papa  sings  bass,  and  you  can't  sing  like  that  till  you  are  a 
man."  "Well,"  said  the  manly  little  fellow,  summoning  all 
his  courage  to  stand  his  ground,  "  I  don't  want  to  sing  like 
a  woman,  any  how  !" 

"  Mamma,  what  makes  the  hens  hop  around  so  after  their 
heads  are  cut  off?"  inquires  one  of  these  inquisitive  shoots 
of  the  missionary  colony. 

"  Why  will  you  ask  so  many  foolish  questions,  my  child  ?'' 
said  the  mother;  "  I  can't  tell  you  why." 

"  Well,  if  my  papa  was  here,  he  could  tell,  for  he  knows 
everything!" 

"  Why  do  you  wish  to  know,  my  boy?" 

"  Why,  because,  when  I'm  a  man,  and  my  children  ask  me, 
I  want  to  know  what  to  tell  them  !" 

"My  papa  is  a  *  D.D.  ;'  'cause  he  vaccinates  and  he  bap 
tizes!"  argues  a  bonnie  little  lassie  when  the  subject  of  de 
grees  is  under  earnest  discussion  in  one  of  their  confidential 
side-talks. 


EDEN.  467 

"  Won't  you  be  a  *  Dr.,'  papa  ?"  asks  another  child. 

"No,  my  son  ;  your  father  will  never  be  a  Doctor  of  Divinity." 

"  Well,  then,"  responds  the  hopeful  young  scion,  with  hon 
est  emphasis,  "  /  wont  either  /" 

We  miss  the  many  avenues  to  intellectual  refreshment, — and 
that  recreation  which  is  really  re-creation, — always  open 
to  friends  at  home :  The  evening  lecture,  or  concert,  or 
social  gathering,  where  one  meets  new  faces,  and  feels  the 
inspiration  of  new  thought  and  the  kindling  of  fresh  feeling; 
the  little  trip  by  railway  or  steamer,  which  gives  one  a  change 
of  scene  and  air,  the  crimson  current  coursing  through  the 
veins  with  quickened  life  and  healthful  glow,  sending  the 
renovated  worker  back  to  the  once  tiresome  monotony  and 
wearing  routine  of  daily  toil,  with  new  zest  and  enthusiasm. 

How  we  sometimes  long,  with  unutterable  yearnings,  to 
take  the  wings  of  the  morning,  and  spend  one  day,  or  one 
hour  even,  with  friends  by  the  old  fireside !  To  sit  down  at 
the  home  table  with  those  so  far  away!  To  gather  with 
them  around  the  family  altar  once  more,  or  go  up  to  the  house 
of  God  in  company.  How  good  it  would  be  to  hear  again  a 
sermon  from  the  lips  of  our  dear  old  pastor !  to  drop  in  at 
one  of  the  weekly  church  prayer-meetings,  and  unite  in  the 
song  of  praise,  and  the  fervent  supplications  in  our  sweet 
mother-tongue  !  What  a  rest  of  soul  it  would  be  to  spend  an 
evening  with  aged,  experienced  Christians  who  are  praying 
"  Thy  kingdom  come,"  and  sit  at  their  feet  and  seek  counsel, 
and  learn  wisdom  at  their  lips  ! 

Perhaps  those  of  us  who  have  no  home,  no  real  abiding- 
place  in  this  land,  who,  however  much  we  may  love  and  be 
beloved  by  missionary  brothers  and  sisters,  must  always  in 
reality  be  "  boarders,"— feel  more  intensely  the  isolation 


468  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


than  others  who  did  not  leave  all,  in  devoting  themselves  to 
this  work  of  Gospel  ministry  in  a  strange  land  and  a  strange 
tongue.* 

The  arrangement  made  at  Harpoot  is,  for  the  lady-teach 
ers  to  rotate ;  taking  their  meals  for  three  months  at  a  time 
with  each  family ;  thus  relieving  the  housewives  from  the 
continuous  presence  and  care  of  those  who,  however  dear, 
are  not  their  "  very  own."  And  yet  it  would  be  hard  to  find 
a  kinder,  more  affectionate  circle  of  missionary  brothers  and 
sisters. 

Teaching  is  considered  by  the  medical  profession  to  be 
especially  wearing  and  exhaustive  work  to  the  nervous  sys 
tem  ;  and  when  continued,  year  after  year,  as  a  life-work, 
calls  for  special  breaks  and  changes,  perhaps  not  so  impera 
tively  demanded  in  the  case  of  those  who  have  the  varied 
employments  of  domestic  life.  But  a  healthful  change  is 
almost  an  impossibility  in  this  land,  especially  in  the  far  in 
terior  portions  of  the  country.  A  visit  to  another  missionary 
station  is  too  often  like  the  tossings  of  the  invalid,  who  may 
"  change  the  place,  but  keeps  the  pain:"  For,  wherever  a 
missionary  may  go,  the  work  pursues  and  overtakes  him, 


*  No  single  ladies  are  sent  out  by  the  American  Board,  directly  or 
in  behalf  of  the  Woman's  Board  of  Missions,  till  every  arrangement 
has  been  made  with  the  missionaries  on  the  ground,  to  secure  them 
proper  protection,  a  home,  and  opportunities  for  labor.  The  happi 
ness  and  comfort  of  all  parties  must  be  carefully  considered.  Any 
other  course  would  be  hardly  less  unkind,  to  say  the  least,  to  the 
missionary  family  than  to  the  lady  sent  out.  In  some  instances  the 
presence  and  care  of  a  single  lady  would  seriously  embarrass  the 
family  of  a  missionary,  or  take  up  time  that  cannot  be  spared  ;  in 
others  the  way  may  not  be  open  for  labor.  If  some  fa:nilies  suffer 
from  a  different  course,  pursued  by  other  societies,  it  is  not  the  fault 
of  the  American  Board. — Missionary  Herald. 


EDEN.  469 

ever  calling  for  fresh  effort,  and  renewed  care  and  responsi 
bility  :  The  current  of  thought  and  feeling  is  not  only 
unchanged,  but  is  often  intensified. 

It  is  rarely  that  we  see  the  face  of  an  English-speaking 
traveler  in  this  region. 

One  rainy  Saturday,  the  two  families  in  the  konak  were 
in  the  midst  of  house-cleaning ;  the  halls  crowded  with  fur 
niture,  and  things  generally  in  that  topsy-turvy  state  which 
is  understood  by  housekeepers  to  be  a  necessary  evil  at 
certain  periods  of  the  year. 

The  women  belonging  to  the  school  were  coming  to  the 
teachers'  room  with  their  children,  and  bundles  of  clothing, 
that  we  might  know  their  most  pressing  necessities,  and  pre 
pare  the  sewing  for  the  girls  ;  and  altogether,  the  house  was 
in  a  somewhat  confused  condition. 

"  If  we  were  in  America,  some  one  would  be  sure  to  come 
for  a  call  or  visit  at  this  most  inauspicious  time,"  I  said  to 
my  associate. 

"Yes;  but  nothing  of  the  kind  can  happen  here!"  she 
replied,  with  a  half  sigh. 

A  little  later,  the  assistant  teacher  told  us  that  a  German 
doctor  had  come.  We  looked  out  into  the  court-yard,  rnd 
seeing  no  signs  of  an  arrival,  and  knowing  how  many  flying 
reports  were  circulated  among  the  people  without  any  foun 
dation,  dismissed  the  subject  from  our  thoughts.  But  having 
occasion  ere  long  to  visit  the  other  end  of  the  mansion,  I 
passed  unsuspectingly  through  the  narrow  corridor  between 
the  two  divisions,  into  a  hall  beyond,  and  suddenly  found 
myself  in  the  presence  of  a  smiling  stranger,  who  bowed  low 
and  addressed  me  in  Latin  !  This  was  the  veritable  German 
doctor,  sent  out  by  a  wealthy  scientist  of  Geneva,  to  explore 


4/0  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


the  flora  of  the  East.  After  some  months  spent  in  the 
southern  portions  of  the  country,  he  had  come  to  this  region 
with  his  servants,  Arab  steeds,  and  boxes  filled  with  speci 
mens,  to  be  arranged  and  forwarded  to  Switzerland;  —  and 
was  for  a  month  the  guest  of  one  of  the  missionary  families, 
leaving  his  thanks  as  compensation  for  the  hospitality  he  re 
ceived  during  his  stay  : — But  his  gratitude  was  expressed  in 
the  rather  quaint  English  which,  after  various  essays  in  French 
and  German,  he  finally  adopted  as  his  medium  of  communi 
cation. 

Two  other  travelers  made  their  appearance  in  the  space  of 
four  years;  they  were  from  India,  and  came  to  survey  the 
telegraph  line,  making  their  headquarters  at  Mezereh. 

Our  little  circle  is  again  completed  by  the  safe  return  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnum  ;  the  welcome  which  greeted  their 
coming,  in  the  cottage,  freshly  cleansed,  and  garnished  with 
flowers,  mottoes  of  "  Welcome  Home,"  "  Love,"  "  Rest," 
and  "  Home,  Sweet  Home,"  adorning  the  walls,  was  a  faint, 
type  of  the  final  gathering  in  the  everlasting  Home  of 
"  many  mansions,"  where  we  shall  go  no  more  out  forever. 

The  health  of  the  city  is  in  advance  of  last  year  at  this 
time ;  probably  owing  to  the  new  sanitary  precautions 
adopted  and  put  in  force  by  Hakim  Harooteun,  with  the 
aid  of  the  missionaries,  who  have  heartily  entered  into 
the  programme, — in  this  vicinity.  The  air  seems  purer,  and 
freer  from  offensive  smells,  but  we  are  greatly  annoyed  by 
those  tiny  tormentors,  the  fleas,  in  consequence,  we  suppose, 
of  long  and  late  rains,  and  possibly  the  stirring  up  of  their 
old  quarters !  And  we  have  had  sad  news  from  Marsovan,  in 
the  death,  by  cholera,  of  our  missionary  brother,  Mr.  Dodd. 

Fruit  is  abundant,  though  the  grapes  have  been  somewhat 


EDEN.  471 


injured  by  heavy  showers,  yet  the  rich  clusters  that  adorn 
our  table  look  very  tempting,  besides  luscious  melons,  rich 
pears,  and  the  fair-looking,  but  not  very  fine-flavored  apples, 
that  have  lately  made  their  appearance  in  the  market.  We 
have  really  good  white  yeast  bread  this  year,  in  place  of  soda 
biscuit,  or  rolls;  and  tolerably  good  butter — such  as  it  is  — 
white  and  unsalted,  made  of  sheep's  milk,  in  goat  skins,  with 
the  hairy  side  turned  in.  It  is  often  rancid,  and  permeates  the 
food  which  is  cooked  with  it,  in  a  most  unsavory  way,  par 
ticularly  disagreeable  to  a  fastidious  new-comer,  who  may 
require  at  least  a  year  to  become  in  any  degree  accustomed 
to  the  peculiar  taste  which  it  imparts.  This  butter  often 
needs  special  cleansing  before  it  is  fit  for  the  table ;  it  is 
sometimes  melted  and  refined  by  heat;  but  a  missionary 
living  on  the  plains  of  Mesopotamia,  where  Abraham  once 
fed  his  flocks  (and  Sarah  possibly  superintended  her  maidens 
in  this  method  of  making  butter),  has  advocated  the  use  of  a 
serrated  knife,  in  removing  the  superabundant  hair  which 
finds  its  way  into  the  lacteal  compound  during  the  churning 
process  !  The  latter  is  sometimes  varied  by  strapping  the 
goat  skins  of  milk  across  the  back  of  a  donkey  who  is 
about  to  take  a  short  journey,  thus  "  killing  two  birds  with 
one  stone !" 

THE   ORDINATION   AT  PERCHENJ. 

It  is  a  warm  Summer  day.  At  eight  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing,  a  company  may  be  seen  starting  out  from  the  mission 
premises  at  Harpoot,  all  mounted  on  horses  or  donkeys,  and 
wending  their  way  through  the  narrow,  rough  streets  of  the 
city,  to  the  brow  of  the  rocky  hill  on  which  it  is  built,  whence 
they  slowly  descend  into  the  great  plain.  A  ride  of 


472  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


two  hours  brings  us  to  the  village  of  Perchenj.  As  we 
approach,  we  see  many  persons  on  foot,  or  mounted,  and 
women  and  children  in  rude  wagons  drawn  by  buffaloes,  all 
bound  on  the  same  errand. 

We  pass  through  broad  .streets,  shaded  by  lofty  trees  on 
either  side,  with  little  streams  of  water  running  by  the  mud 
walls  which  surround  the  gardens.  It  is  very  refreshing  to 
see  so  much  verdure  and  shade,  and  be  able  to  ride  in  com 
pany,  three  or  four  side  by  side,  instead  of  the  usual  pack- 
horse  procession,  one  jogging  behind  the  other. 

Such  spacious  streets  are  rare  in  these  villages,  where  one 
naturally  expects  to  find  more  room  than  in  large  towns. 
The  Armenian  idea  of  a  village  is  totally  different  from  that 
entertained  in  America.  Here,  the  term  villager  is  synony 
mous  with  "  boor,  ignoramus,"  etc.  (When  I  first  told 
my  pupils  that  I  was  born  in  a  village,  or  country  town, 
they  were  amazed,  and  almost  shocked. 

During  the  same  lesson,  it  came  out  that  our  blessed 
Savior  dwelt  in  a  place  which  might  have  been  termed  a  village, 
and  a  very  mean  one  at  that.  Some  doubted,  others  insist 
ed  that  it  was  a  city,  since  it  is  sometimes  so  called  in  Scrip 
ture,  though  all  travelers  judge  that  it  could  never  have  been 
anything  more  than  a  small  town,  from  its  situation.  It  was 
amusing  to  see  the  eyes  of  our  village  girls  while  this  contro 
versy  was  going  on  !  Perhaps  there  is  no  people  under  the 
sun  more  tenacious  of  their  "  honor  "  than  these  same  Arme 
nians,  even  the  poorest  and  meanest  among  them  !  It 
sometimes  assumes  an  aspect  that  is  really  ridiculous.) 

After  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  ride  through  the  village,  we 
draw  up  in  front  of  a  garden  wall  where  a  large  company  of 
men  are  assembled.  These  are  mostly  Protestant  brethren, 


EDEN.  473 


and  they  greet  us  with  beaming  faces  and  hearty  salutations. 
They  help  us  to  dismount,  and  at  once  relieve  us  of  the  care 
of  our  horses,  and  luggage,  if  we  have  any.  Passing  into 
the  garden,  we  find  the  desk  placed  beneath  large  spreading 
trees,  with  a  long  seat  for  the  "  .Honorables,"  as  ministers  are 
called  in  Armenian.  A  space  in  front  is  left  open,  and  on 
either  side,  carpets  and  cushions  are  spread  under  the  trees 
for  the  women.  We  missionary  sisters  soon  find  ourselves 
comfortably  seated  on  the  left  of  the  desk,  at  the  foot  of  a 
mulberry  tree. 

When  the  meeting  is  called  to  order,  people  come  throng 
ing  in,  clad  in  all  colors  and  costumes ;  we  see  among  them 
some  comical  combinations  in  the  way  of  rags,  and  patches, 
worn  by  curious  lookers-on,  some  of  whom  have  the  imple 
ments  of  labor  in  their  hands,  fresh  from  the  fields  where 
they  were  at  work. 

But  a  goodly  company  of  "  Gospellers  "  are  present  in 
their  best  array,  not  only  from  the  city,  but  from  surround 
ing  villages.  This  is  evidently  a  great  gala  day  to  them  : 
And  soon  all  eyes  and  ears  are  intent  upon  the  business  in 
progress.  The  missionary  badvelis  are  three  in  number,  and 
noble  looking  men  they  are ;  their  expressive  countenances 
beaming  with  love  and  joy !  The  Protestant  Armenian 
brother  who  sits  with  them,  rejoices  in  the  same  office  and 
title  ;  and  Pastor  Marderos  is  truly  worthy  of  the  respect  and 
confidence  accorded  to  him  by  every  one.  He  is  chosen 
secretary,  the  chairman  having  been  duly  elected  by  the  dele 
gates  from  the  churches,  who  occupy  seats  directly  in  front 
of  the  desk. 

The  devotional  exercises  being  concluded,  they  proceed 
to  the  organization  of  the  church,  and  the  examination  of 


4/4  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

the  candidate  for  the  pastoral  office.  He  is  a  young  preach 
er  who  was  trained  for  his  work  at  the  Harpoot  Seminary, 
and  has  labored  in  a  small  town  on  the  Euphrates  for  the 
last  two  years.  His  wife  was  also  a  pupil  of  the  Training- 
School. 

He  stands  up  among  the  crowd  of  witnesses,  and  bears  a 
good  testimony  for  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Christ.  The  people 
give  most  earnest  and  undivided  attention  to  the  exercises, 
so  new  and  interesting  to  many  of  them.  Here  and  there  can 
be  seen  the  stalwart  form  of  a  rough  tiller  of  the  soil,  lean 
ing  upon  his  spade ;  a  number  of  boys  and  young  men  peer 
down  upon  us  from  the  branches  of  trees  just  beyond  the 
scene  of  action,  and  beyond  the  multitude,  near  the  out 
skirts  of  the  garden,  are  a  number  of  fires,  with  huge  caldrons 
placed  over  them,  and  flitting  figures  around  the  encamp 
ment  seem  to  be  engaged  in  stirring  savory  messes  for  the 
refreshment  of  the  hungry  crowd. 

Soon  after  midday,  a  recess  is  taken,  and  little  groups  are 
gathered  on  every  side,  partaking  of  that  same  mess  of  pot 
tage  provided  by  their  village  entertainers.  We  too  receive 
our  share,  seated  on  carpets  spread  in  a  shady  corner,  and 
eating  the  broth, — with  dark,  coarse,  unleavened  bread, 
which  was  baked  in  large  flat  cakes,  upon  the  heated  stones 
of  a  rude  oven  made  in  the  earth,  and  piled  upon  the 
ground  near  by! — A  common  tin  or  copper  dish  contains 
a  supply  for  three  or  four  persons,  placed  at  equal  distances 
before  our  circle,  and  we  merrily  dip  our  wooden  spoons 
into  the  same  turrecn,  enjoying  the  fun  more  than  the  food, 
it  must  be  confessed. 

The  afternoon  session  is  even  more  interesting  than  that 
of  the  morning,  and  we  can  but  think  what  a  means  of  edu- 


EDEN.  475 


cation  such  occasions  must  prove  to  a  people  who  are  neAvly 
coming  into  the  light  and  liberty  of  the  Gospel. 

Mr.  Williams  has  come  from  Mardin,  and  greatly  adds  to 
the  services  by  a  stirring  and  most  admirable  charge  to  the 
church,  in  English,  which  is  interpreted  by  a  brother  mis 
sionary,  and  so  interests  the  people  that  they  petition  to 
have  it  printed  in  Armenian  for  future  use.  They  can  never 
forget  his  illustrations  of  Divine  truth ;  begging  them  not  to 
fill  God's  vineyard  with  dead  trees, — pointing  to  a  sapless, 
withered  trunk  near  by, — which  should  not  only  bear  no 
fruit,  but  also  cumber  the  ground  by  their  presence,  shutting 
out  the  dew  and  the  sunshine  from  the  soil,  and  thus  hinder 
ing  the  growth  of  others. 

The  day  closes  with  songs  of  praise,  and  assurances  on 
every  side  that  it  will  long  be  remembered  as  a  tf  blessed 
time." 

It  is  followed  during  the  year  by  similar  soul-cheering 
scenes  in  other  villages,  all  giving  promise  of  a  Christianity 
whose  growth  shall  be  from  within,  self-perpetuating,  and, 
consequently,  self-propagating. 

The  missionaries  at  Harpoot  have  adopted  a  few  funda 
mental  principles  in  laying  foundations  and  planting  churches 
in  this  region,  (i.)  "  To  form  no  churches  to  which  they 
do  not  at  the  same  time  give  pastors  :  (2.)  To  ordain  pas 
tors  only  when  their  churches  assume  the  entire  responsi 
bility  of  calling  and  supporting  them,  the  aid  given  to  the 
churches  by  the  missionaries  in  no  case  to  exceed  one-half 
of  the  salary,  and  to  decrease  annually  at  least  one-fifth, 
and  thus  cease  entirely  at  the  end  of  five  years,  at  the  long 
est,  and  as  much  sooner  as,  in  their  opinion,  the  churches  are 
able  to  dispense  with  it.  (3.)  The  pastors  and  churches  to 


4/6  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


be  regarded  and  treated  from  the  first,  as  entirely  independ 
ent  of  missionary  control,  and  responsible  only  to  the  great 
Head  of  the  Church." 

EXAMINATION-  OF    THE    TRAINING-SCHOOL   FOR 
GIRLS  AND    WOMEN. 

This  institution  was  opened  at  Harpoot  in  the  Spring  of 
1863,  and  was  intended  to  comprise  not  only  boarders,  but 
day  pupils,  and  women  (wives  of  theological  students  only) 
as  well  as  girls.  The  whole  number  of  pupils  from  the  first 
has  been  ninety ;  and  of  sixty  connected  with  the  school  for 
a  longer  or  shorter  period  during  these  three  years,  only  three 
or  four  made  any  profession  of  piety  when  admitted,  and 
thirty  have,  we  hope,  been  converted  during  the  period. 

The  boarders  were  limited  to  fifteen  in  number,  coming 
from  other  cities  and  villages  in  the  "  Eastern  Turkey  Mis 
sion,"  Diarbekir,  Mardin,  Bitlis,  Erzeroom,  Arabkir,  Malatia, 
etc.  The  day-scholars  were  also  fourteen  in  number,  mostly 
from  the  city  of  Harpoot.  These  all  paid  a  tuition  fee  for 
admission,  and  the  boarders  were  required  to  pay  a  certain 
proportion  of  their  expenses.  A  few  were,  however,  received 
as  "  charity  scholars,"  to  be  educated  at  the  expense 
of  the  American  Board,  with  the  expectation  that  they 
should  become  teachers  or  wives  of  preachers.  None  were 
admitted  under  twelve  years  of  age,  and  the  boarders  were 
required  to  know  something  of  the  primary  branches  of  in 
struction,  acquired  at  the  station  day-schools. 

Most  of  the  women  under  instruction  are  very  humble  and 
ignorant,  either  unable  to  read,  or  but  imperfectly,  when  they 
entered  the  school.  They  learn  slowly,  but  their  minds 
expand  in  this  new  atmosphere,  and  the  constant  presenta 
tion  of  divine  truth  elevates  their  characters  and  enlightens 


EDEN.  477 


their  consciences.  They  generally  manifest  great  sim 
plicity  of  character,  and  a  humility  and  genuine  frankness 
which  is  very  refreshing  and  encouraging  to  their  teachers. 
We  consider  this  class  of  pupils  a  most  important  element  in 
the  school.  Those  who  are  mothers  leave  their  younger 
children  to  be  cared  for  during  school-hours,  by  a  woman 
employed  for  that  purpose ;  and  at  the  customary  recess, 
morning  and  afternoon,  they  go  to  their  rooms  (in  the  vicinity) 
to  nurse  their  babes.  The  larger  children  are  placed  in  the 
day  school. 

Thus  whole  families  are  at  once  instructed  and  elevated. 
The  school  is  in  session  from  March  to  November.  During 
the  Winter  months,  the  pupils  of  both  schools  are  scattered 
throughout  this  region  of  the  Euphrates  and  Tigris,  in  all 
the  cities  and  villages  where  the  people  call  them,  or  mission 
aries  send  them,  to  teach  and  preach  the  Word. 

Our  women  soon  find  their  appropriate  sphere  as  teachers 
and  leaders  of  their  sex.  They  may  know  but  little,  but 
they  can  teach  those  who  know  still  less.  One  of  the  moth 
ers  whom  we  considered  very  backward,  and  rather  weak- 
minded,  in  fact,  has  been  very  useful  in  the  village  where 
her  husband  labors.  From  accounts  just  received,  she  is 
now  teaching  sixteen  girls  and  three  women  to  read,  besides 
performing  the  work  of  her  family  of  nine  persons.  Thus 
far  the  experiment  has  proved  a  success,  and  with  every 
year  public  sentiment  has  increasingly  sanctioned  the  educa 
tion  of  women.  Parents  are  becoming  not  only  willing  but 
anxious  to  place  their  daughters  in  the  school,  even  if  it  in 
volves  a  pecuniary  sacrifice  to  themselves. 

Previous  to  the  establishment  of  this  school,  three  girls, — 
two  Armenian  and  one  Syrian, — were  sent  from  Diarbekir, 


478  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

to  be  educated  in  the  Armenian  Boarding-School  at  Con 
stantinople.  These  have  been  usefully  employed  since  their 
return, — one  acting  as  assistant  teacher  in  this  school ;  an 
other,  the  wife  of  the  pastor  at  Harpoot,  also  aiding,  from 
time  to  time,  in  various  classes,  translating  useful  books  and 
articles  for  the  press,  besides  taking  her  turn  with  the  mis 
sionary  ladies  in  holding  weekly  meetings  for  the  women. 
The  influence  of  their  Syrian  school-mate,  in  her  labors 
among  the  women  and  girls  of  Diarbekir,  can  hardly  be  over 
estimated.  Her  light  has  shown  steadily  and  brightly,  amid 
the  dawning  rays  of  the  new  day  opening  upon  her  people. 

We  come  now  to  the  close  of  the  third  school-year  of  the  Har 
poot  institution.  On  the  24th  of  October,  an  informal  examina 
tion  of  the  primary  classes  was  held  in  the  school-room,  to 
which  only  relatives  of  the  pupils  were  admitted,  besides  the 
missionary  families  and  the  pastor.  Most  of  the  women  be 
longed  to  these  classes,  mainly  under  the  instruction  of  the 
assistant  teacher,  and  Miss  Pond,  while  perfecting  her  use  of 
the  language.  Their  store  of  book  knowledge  \vas  not  very 
extensive,  but  their  appearance  indicated  a  growth  of  mind, 
and  a  moral  tone,  worth  infinitely  more.  The  next  day  the 
public  examination  took  place  in  the  chapel.  During  the 
previous  weeks  there  had  been  the  customary  "  reviews  "  and 
"  drills,"  reading  and  re-reading  of  essays,  with  criticisms,  the 
singing  of  new  pieces  for  the  occasion,  etc.,  etc.,  all  so  well 
known  to  every  teacher  as  an  exhausting  process,  but  specially 
so  to  those  who  labor  in  a  foreign  tongue,  fashioning  raw 
material ! 

This  was  to  be  the  first  occasion  when  more  than  a  very 
select  number  should  witness  the  proficiency  of  Armenian  girls 
in  their  studies.  Yet  the  door  was  not  widely  thrown  open 


EDEN.  470 


to  all  who  might  come  to  gaze.  Tickets  were  provided,  and 
given  to  suitable  applicants;  thus  a  large  and  most  re 
spectable  audience  was  secured.  Among  those  present 
were  many  pastors,  preachers,  and  helpers,  who  had  come 
from  their  places  of  labor  to  attend  the  various  exer 
cises  of  the  week.  Our  scholars  were  seated  on  carpets,  in 
the  centre  of  the  chapel.  They  were  neatly  dressed  in  a 
mixture  of  the  Oriental  and  European  style,  their  heads  cov 
ered  with  a  native  "  kerchief,"  partly  concealing  the  face. 

The  exercises  commenced  with  singing  and  prayer. 
Classes  were  then  examined  in  Bible  History  and  Geogra 
phy,  followed,  during  the  day,  by  Astronomy,  Moral  Science, 
the  Assembly's  Catechism,  and  Object  Lessons.  These  reci 
tations  were  interspersed  with  singing,  accompanied  by  the 
melodeon,  and  the  reading  of  Essays  in  clear,  calm,  tones, 
by  the  writers.  The  subjects  were  as  follows  :  Light ;  Liber 
ality  ;  Obedience ;  Cleanliness ;  Faithfulness  in  Little  Things ; 
and  the  Greatest  Victory  ;  this  last  portraying  the  hidden  con 
flict  of  the  soul,  between  the  powers  of  good  and  evil,  invis 
ible  to  mortal  eyes,  but  noticed  by  God  and  angels,  who 
rejoice  over  the  victory  of  self !  It  was  written  by  a  "  little 
Syrian  maid,"  a  native  of  Diarbekir. 

The  classes  appeared  well,  and  their  teachers  were  pleased 
and  encouraged.  Mr.  Wheeler's  class  in  Astronomy  would 
have  done  credit  to  any  school.  Owing  to  a  lack  of  suitable 
text-books  in  Armenian,  the  instruction  in  this,  and  one  or 
two  other  branches,  has  been  mostly  oral.  In  the  study  of 
God's  Word,  the  graduating  class  had  gone  through  the  first 
five  books  the  last  year,  spending  three-quarters  of  an  hour 
each  day  in  drawing  directly  from  the  fountain-head  of 
wisdom  and  truth.  During  the  Summer,  the  first  class  was 


480  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

favored  with  lectures  on  Natural  Philosophy  and  Physiology, 
by  Mr.  Allen,  Principal  of  the  Seminary.  In  place  of  map- 
drawing,  to  which  considerable  attention  had  been  given, 
our  pupils  were  instructed  in  the  art  of  making  "  flower 
pictures,"  during  the  last  weeks  of  the  term.  The  walls  of 
the  chapel  were  quite  profusely  decorated  with  specimens 
of  their  taste  and  skill,  in  arranging  the  leaves  and  blossoms 
collected  in  their  Spring  and  Summer  rambles  over  the  hills 
with  their  teachers.  This  we  felt  would  cultivate  their 
taste,  give  them  an  object  in  their  walks,  and  help  to  make 
their  homes  more  attractive.  They  were  taught  that  these 
simple  pictures  would  be  in  keeping  with  the  humblest  sur 
roundings,  if  only  the  walls  were  white-washed  and  the  room 
clean. 

At  the  close  of  the  afternoon  exercises,  suitable  diplomas 
were  presented  to  the  graduating  class,  with  a  few  impressive 
words  by  Mr.  Wheeler.  There  were  fourteen  girls  and 
women  whose  course  of  study  was  completed,  and  who  now 
received  their  "  commission  "  to  go  forth  and  teach  their  be 
nighted  sisters,  wherever  the  Master  should  call  them.  It 
was  a  soul-cheering  spectacle,  and  spoke  volumes  for  the  fu 
ture  of  woman  in  this  land.  The  school  then  united  in 
singing,  "  Go,  work  in  my  vineyard  to-day." 

After  a  few  brief  remarks  by  Mr.  Barnum  and  Mr.  Allen, 
several  of  the  native  pastors  addressed  the  school.  We 
were  particularly  interested  in  one  of  them,  a  former  grad 
uate  of  the  Seminary,  ordained  and  settled  as  a  pastor  last 
June.  He  "  rose  up  "  lumberingly,  like  a  great  mountain, 
and  in  a  deep,  rumbling  voice,  gave  utterance  to  a  few 
measured  sentences,  expressive  of  his  gladness  at  witnessing 
the  exercises  of  the  day.  At  first  we  were  somewhat  amused 


EDEN.  481 


at  his  uncouth  pronunciation,  smacking  of  the  village  home 
of  his  childhood  ;  but  as  he  warmed  with  his  subject,  we 
listened  with  delighted  interest.  He  seemed  a  "jewel  in 
the  rough,"  belonging  to  the  Chalmers  type  of  men.  After 
dwelling  upon  the  scene  before  him,  he  looked  back  :  "  And 
who,"  he  said,  "  among  all  the  women  of  this  land,  could 
wield  a  pen,  or  compose  an  essay,  or  answer,  intelligently, 
questions  upon  Scripture,  ten  years  ago?"  He  blessed  God 
that  his  eyes  had  seen  that  day,  and  most  gratefully  express 
ed  his  thanks  to  the  missionaries,  and  to  the  "American 
Board,"  whose  agents  they  are,  in  this  great  and  noble  work. 
Then  turning  to  the  class  just  graduated,  he  charged  them 
to  "  sow  beside  all  waters"  the  good  seed  of  the  Word ;  to 
be  faithful  as  the  leaders  of  their  sex,  remembering  that  to 
whom  much  is  given,  of  him  much  will  be  required.  -Prayer 
was  then  offered,  and  the  assembly  was  dismissed. 

The  audience  lingered  to  examine  the  various  specimens 
of  handiwork  upon  the  walls — :<  God's  pictures,"  they  called 
them, — alluding  to  the  brilliant  tints  of  the  flowers  so  well 
preserved.  All  seemed  gratified,  and  several  persons  ex 
pressed  their  surprise  and  delight  at  the  proficiency  they 
had  witnessed.  It  was  evident  that  an  excellent  and  abid 
ing  impression  had  been  made. 

The  following  day  a  very  interesting  examination  of  the 
Seminary  took  place.  A  class  of  eight  young  men  grad 
uated,  and  seven  were  licensed  to  preach.  On  the  morning 
of  the  same  day  I  held  a  farewell  meeting  with  our  pupils. 
On  my  way  to  the  school  room,  I  was  requested  to  step  into 
another  apartment  for  a  few  moments,  and  there  found  the 
class  of  graduates  assembled.  One  of  their  number  ap 
proached  me  with  a  large  and  elegantly  bound  copy  of  the. 


482  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


Scriptures,  in  Armenian,  which  she  presented  in  behalf  of 
the  class,  with  words  to  this  effect  :  "  Dear  Teacher,  it  is  not 
in  our  power  to  compensate  or  reward  you  for  all  your  toil 
and  labors  of  love  in  our  behalf;  but  we  wish  to  present 
you  with  a  token  of  our  affection  and  gratitude.  The  Mas 
ter,  who  will  not  forget  even  a  cup  of  water  given  in  His  name, 
reward  you  at  the  last  great  day."  The  whole  thing  was 
a  perfect  surprise  to  me,  and  as  grateful  as  it  was  novel  in 
my  experience  as  a  missionary  teacher.  Laboring  here 
temporarily,  for  the  last  two  school-years,  till  a  teacher 
should  come  from  America  and  be  prepared  to  fill  the 
vacant  place,  this  unlooked-for  mark  of  appreciation  and 
gratitude  was  doubly  precious.  As  I  held  the  sacred  vol 
ume,  and  looked  upon  that  tearful  and  interesting  group  of 
faces,  I  felt  that  I  was  reaping  a  part  of  the  "  hundred-fold." 
After  speaking  of  the  great  "  reward  "  it  would  be  to  see 
them  all  co-workers  with  Christ,  and  of  that  day  when  the 
"  sheaves  "  of  the  great  "  harvest-field  "  shall  be  gathered 
into  the  "  garner,"  and  teacher  and  scholars,  reunited,  might 
rejoice  together  over  many  precious  souls  eternally  saved, — 
we  joined  the  rest  of  the  school.  A  rapid  review  of  the  past 
was  then  taken;  a  last  solemn  charge  given  to  those  who  would 
no  more  occupy  those  seats,  and  a  special  admonition  to 
those  who  professed  to  be  followers  of  Christ.  As  one 
after  another  of  those  who  had  given  evidence  of  a  change 
of  heart,  voluntarily  and  deliberately  arose  and  took  her 
place  on  the  floor  at  the  feet  of  her  teachers,  perfect  silence 
reigned,  and  deep  solemnity  seemed  to  pervade  every  soul. 

But  ten  of  the  thirty-seven  remained  in  their  seats.  Again 
were  these  lambs  of  the  fold  warned  of  the  deceitfulness  of 
the  heart,  the  wiles  of  the  great  adversary,  and  the  snares  of 


EDEN.  483 


the  world.  Again  were  they  counseled  to  test  themselves  by 
their  fruits,  and  enjoined  to  cleave  unto  the  Shepherd  and 
Bishop  of  their  souls.  Once  more  we  gathered  around  the 
mercy-seat,  and  commended  this  dear  flock  to  the  watch  and 
care  of  the  heart-searching  God  and  Father;  after  which 
farewells  were  spoken,  and  the  "  scattering  "  commenced. 
O,  that  Christian  friends  would  pray  much  for  this  untried 
band  of  workers,  that  none  may  be  found  wanting  when  the 
"  elect  "  shall  be  gathered  in  from  every  nation  ! 

THE  INFANT  SUNDAY-SCHOOL, 

It  is  noon  of  the  Lord's  Day.  The  floor  of  the  neat,  airy 
chapel  at  Harpoot,  is  thickly  covered  with  men  and  women, 
large  boys  and  girls,  all  busily  engaged  in  the  study  of 
God's  Word.  It  is  a  beautiful  sight  to  those  who  love  the 
Book  of  books.  These  are  the  fathers  and  mothers,  broth 
ers  and  sisters,  of  the  little  folks  whom  we  have  lately  gathered 
to  be  taught  by  themselves  in  one  of  the  Seminary  rooms. 
We  pass  up  a  flight  of  outer  stairs,  and  leave  our  street-shoes 
near  the  door,  as  the  children  have  done,  and  from  the  great 
heap  that  we  stumble  over,  judge  that  a  goodly  number  have 
come  to-day.  And  we  are  not  disappointed  ;  for  on  entering 
the  spacious  room  we  find  as  many  as  eighty  little  boys  and 
girls  sitting  in  rows  on  the  floor  with  their  feet  doubled  up 
under  them  like  so  many  Turks.  Many  of  these  chil 
dren  are  bright  and  pretty-looking ;  some  of  them  are  quite 
fair,  and  occasionally  we  notice  one  with  blue  eyes  and  auburn 
hair. 

One  of  the  boys  acts  as  monitor  for  the  day,  and  he  is 
very  proud  of  his  office.  He  stands  near  the  door,  and 
seats  all  the  new-comers,  and  though  only  eight  years  old, 


484  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

is  a  manly  little  captain  or  general,  as  his  name  (Garabed) 
signifies.  It  does  children  good  to  be  trusted  and  employed, 
and  this  little  fellow  is  very  dignified,  and  looks  sharply 
after  those  who  get  out  of  the  ranks,  quietly  sending  them 
back  to  their  own  places. — He  is  the  son  of  one  of  the  older 
students,  and,  with  some  of  his  companions,  has  gathered  a 
number  of  new  boys  into  the  school. — While  they  are  singing 
our  sweet  Sunday-school  songs,  one  might  almost  fancy 
himself  in  a  similar  school  at  home.  But  the  dress  and  the 
language,  the  posture,  and  even  the  names  of  the  children, 
soon  dispels  the  illusion. 

Bible  names  are  quite  as  common  as  in  America  and  Eng 
land,  but  are  somewhat  disguised  in  their  Armenian  dress. 
And  then  we  have  Resurrection,  Ascension,  Martyr,  Cross- 
giver,  etc.,  quite  a  gospel  fraternity,  besides  some  others  not 
so  spiritual  in  signification.  For  instance,  there  is  one  ^oor 
boy  who  bears  the  infliction  of  a  compound  appellation  as 
protracted  as  those'of  Cromwell's  time:  "The  son  of  the- 
man-who-never-ate-cheese."  A  fact  so  uncommon,  that  it 
must  be  commemorated.  And  there  is  a  whole  family  of 
Satans  !  Many  of  the  little  girls  rejoice  in  names  which  signify 
some  quality,  such  as  Good,  Bright,  Beautiful,  Cleanly ;  one 
is  called  Answer,  another  Oil-bringer,  another  Queen  ;  and 
others  bear  the  name  of  various  flowers.  It  seems  odd  to 
call  a  little  girl  Jupiter  or  Mercury,  but  that  is  commonly 
done,  and  Venus  (Aroosiag)  is  a  favorite  name  in  Armenian. 
Some  of  the  old  Hebrew  names  are  unchanged  and  in  com 
mon  use ;  as,  for  instance,  Shooshan  (lily),  and  Zait,  or  Sait, 
for  the  olive,  or  oil-tree,  and  Kinnamon  for  cinnamon  ; — all 
pointing  to  the  antecedents  of  the  race. — "  The  Armenian  lan 
guage  belongs  to  the  Indo-Germanic  family,  enriched  with 


EDEX.  485 

many  Sanscrit  words,  but  having  no  affinity  to  the  Semitic,  or 
any  of  the  more  modern  tongues."  The  people  claim  that  it  was 
the  language  of  paradise,  and  will  be  the  language  of  the  heav 
enly  world. — The  Armenians  have  no  fam  ily  names,  but  des 
ignate  persons  by  the  father's  name  or  employment,  as  in 
Bible  times  : — "  David,  son  of  Jesse ;  Simon,  son  of  Jonas ; 
the  "  carpenter's  son,"  etc.,  sometimes  using  th,e  geni 
tive  suffix  ian,  as  Hohannes,  Hohannesian.  The  same  custom 
is  perpetuated  in  France  by  the  de,  in  Holland  by  Von,  and 
in  Ireland  by  O',  prefixed  to  the  name ;  while  in  England 
and  America  we  have  Smithson,  Johnson,  etc. 

But  after  this  digression  concerning  names,  we  turn  again  to 
our  little  people,  who  by  this  time  have  finished  singing, 
"  Jesus  bids  us  shine,"  "  We  won't  give  up  the  Bible," 
and  "  Come  to  Jesus." 

They  now  repeat,  in  turn,  a  verse  of  Scripture,  or  of  a 
hymn  which  they  have  learned  during  the  week,  and  after 
reciting  a  new  one  in  concert  till  it  is  fixed  in  their  minds, 
Noonia  tells  them  a  Bible-story,  and  I  ask  them  questions, 
after  it  is  finished,  to  see  how  much  they  understand.  Then 
the  bell  rings  down-stairs,  and  we  dismiss  them  to  join  their 
parents  and  friends  in  the  chapel. 

One  Sunday,  when  all  the  children  were  repeating,  in 
concert,  "  Lord,  teach  a  little  child  to  pray,"  I  noticed  that 
little  Mehran,  who  sat  at  hi"  mother's  feet,  did  not  join  in 
the  exercise.  I  had  often  spoken  to  him  in  a  kind  way, 
about  doing  so,  for  I  wished  him  to  set  a  good  example  be 
fore  the  children  who  had  not  Christian  parents.  I  now  spoke 
more  decidedly,  and  his  mother  saw  that  it  was  time  to  make 
him  obey.  She  repeated  the  injunction,  but  her  little  boy  did 
not  open  his  lips.  After  a  few  moments  had  passed,  and  he 


486  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

.  still  refused  to  obey,  she  took  him  into  another  room,  and 
punished  him.  But  when  she  brought  him  back,  he  said  not 
a  word,  though  his  little  cousin,  who  was  younger,  recited 
it  correctly.  Again  his  mother  took  him  away,  and  again  he 
did  not  obey,  though  he  made  no  outward  demonstration, 
and  only  sobbed  from  the  pain  inflicted.  While  this  contest 
was  going  on,  the  signal  came  for  the  close  of  the  hour,  and 
the  children  were  dismissed.  Still  Mehran  had  not  yielded. 
I  lingered,  and  begged  his  mother  not  to  leave  the  matter 
there.  "  Why,"  said  she,  "  what  can  I  do  ?  I  have  whipped 
him  several  times,  and  still  he  won't  mind  !" 

"  O,  Noonia,  you  have  not  subdued  his  will !  This  may 
be  the  turning  point  in  the  life  of  your  child.  He  may  lose  his 
soul  if  you  are  not  faithful  now  !  Think  how  you  would  feel 
if  he  should  die  in  this  stubborn  state  !  If  he  learns  to  obey 
his  parents,  it  will  be  much  easier  for  him  to  obey  his  Heavenly 
Father." 

This  seemed  to  make  an  impression  on  her  mind,  and  she 
did  not  go  to  the  chapel  as  usual,  to  attend  the  afternoon 
service.  During  the  week  I  saw  her,  and  anxiously  inquired 
after  the  result. 

She  said  that  on  reaching  the  parsonage,  she  talked  gently 
to  her  little  boy,  and  then  placed  him  in  a  room  alone  to 
think  of  his  conduct,  telling  him  that  he  could  not  come  out 
till  he  would  obey.  He  remained  quietly  by  himself  for  a 
couple  of  hours,  and  then  yielded  the  contest,  and  submitted 
entirely.  When  his  mother  asked  him  what  he  did  when 
alone  so  long,  he  replied,  "  I  prayed  to  Jesus." 

That  was  the  last  time  that  Mehran  ever  joined  his 
little  companions.  The  next  Sunday  he  had  a  severe 
cold,  and  stayed  at  home  on  that  account.  And  two  weeks 


EDEN.  487 


from  that  day,  I  was  telling  the  children  of  his  death,  while 
he  was  sleeping  in  a  silent  grave  near  by.  It  was  a  solemn 
lesson  to  us  all.  When  I  entered  the  house  where  he  lay, — 
soon  after  the  news  of  his  sudden  illness  and  death  had  reached 
us, — and  met  his  fond  mother,  whose  heart  was  so  bound  up 
in  her  noble,  beautiful  boy  of  five  years,  she  came  and  laid 
her  head  in  my  lap,  and  wept  as  if  -her  heart  would  break. 
But  it  was  an  unspeakable  comfort  in  that  hour  to  know 
that  the  dear  child  had  yielded  his  stubborn  will ;  that  in 
those  few  hours  of  distressing  pain  the  previous  night,  he 
was  patient  and  submissive,  frequently  praying  audibly  to 
the  "dear  Lord  Jesus!" 


CHAPTER    XII. 


DIARBEKIR. 

|HE  ancient  "  Amida,"  or  more  modern  "  Black  City," 
on  the  shores  of  the  Tigris, — how  like  a  vision  of 
past  ages  it  loomed  up  in  the  distance  across  the 
broad  plain,  its  battlements  and  towers  rising  in  bold  relief 
against  the  clear  blue  sky  ! 

After  ten  years  of  faithful  missionary  service  in  Mesopota 
mia — the  "  land  between  the  rivers  " — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker 
revisited  their  childhood's  home  in  the  United  States. 

Returning  to  their  people  and  their  work  with  renewed 
interest  and  affection  after  a  prolonged  absence,  they  tar 
ried  a  few  days  at  Harpoot  before  commencing  the  last  stage 
of  their  long  overland  journey  via  Samsoon.  Their  arrival 
was  hailed  with  delight  by  the  eager  circle  of  missionary 
brothers  and  sisters,  who  enjoyed  a  rare  treat  in  listening 
to  details,  fresh  in  their  experience,  of  scenes  and  interests, 
changes  and  progress  in  the  fatherland.  According  to  a 
previous  programme,  I  joined  the  little  party — for  a  Winter 
in  their  home  and  work — when  they  again  resumed  their 
journey. 

We  left  Harpoot  the  middle  of  November;  our  route  lay 
south-east  a  distance  of  sixty  miles,  on  the  line  of  the  tele 
graph  down  to  old  Bagdad,  and  thence  to  India.  The  air 
(488) 


DIARBEKIR.  489 


was  mild,  the  sun  shining,  and  the  roads  in  good  condition, 
though  a  cold  rain  had  been  falling  for  several  days,  and  a 
snow-storm  seemed  impending  on  the  Taurus  range  of  moun 
tains  over  which  we  were  to  pass.  There  was  little  to  vary 
the  monotony  of  the  journey  ;  the  general  features  of  travel 
and  mountain  scenery  were  familiar  in  our  experience.  But 
on  the  second  day  we  passed  the  shores  of  Lake  Geuljik, 
encircled  by  rugged  mountain  peaks.  No  boat  skimmed 
over  its  deep  blue  waves,  and  the  only  visible  sign  of  life 
was  the  lazy  flapping  of  some  stray  bird  as  it  winged  its 
way  across  the  smooth  expanse,  or  the  flight  of  wild  ducks, 
startled  by  our  approach.  The  silence  was  oppressive,  and 
the  story  of  an  old  monastery  sunk  beneath  the  sleeping 
waters,  did  not  lessen  the  feeling. 

The  principal  town  through  which  we  passed  was  Argana, 
perched  like  an  eagle's  nest  among  the  rocks.  The  highest 
peak  was  crowned  by  an  Armenian  monastery,  said  to  be  a 
favorite  resort  of  wealthy  families  during  the  intense  heat  of 
the  Summer  months.  The  monks  furnish  food  as  well  as 
rooms,  and  the  best  wine  of  the  country,  being  as  famous 
for  high  living  as  any  of  their  confreres  in  other  lands. 

As  \ve  passed  from  Armenia  into  Mesopotamia,  the  face 
of  the  country  became  flat  and  uninteresting.  The  last 
night  of  the  journey — which  occupied  four  days — was  spent 
at  the  half-underground  Koordish  village  of  Geog  Tapa,  in 
a  room  without  doors  or  windows,  whence  the  family  and 
the  horses  had  just  been  ejected.  At  two  o'clock  in  the 
morning  we  were  roused,  and  soon  after  three  were  mounted, 
and  on  our  way,  our  horses'  feet  keeping  time  on  the  crisp, 
frosty  road.  The  air  was  piercingly  chilling  in  the  thick  dark 
ness  before  the  dawn,  and  warm  wraps  were  needed  to  make 
21* 


490  THE   ROMANCE   OF  MISSIONS. 

one  comfortable.  Not  long  after  daylight  we  encountered 
a  caravan  of  two  hundred  camels,  and  it  required  no  little 
skill  in  manoeuvring  to  pass  the  slow,  ungainly,  and  often 
ill-tempered  creatures.  The  camel -fights  of  Smyrna  are 
said  to  exceed  the  bull-fights  of  Spain  in  the  fierce  onset  of 
the  combatants,  and  the  mad  fury  with  which  they  continue 
the  contest,  filling  the  air  with  unearthly  cries  and  screams, 
till  one  or  both  are  destroyed.  The  people  have  a  plausible 
tradition  concerning  the  origin  of  this  most  uncouth  crea 
tion.  They  say  that  when  God  had  finished  making  all  the 
other  animals,  He  put  together  the  bits  that  were  left,  and 
lo  !  a  camel !  And  the  deep,  choking  gutterals  of  the  Arabic 
language,  so  difficult  for  foreigners  to  acquire,  they  call 
"  camel  sounds." 

THE  MISSIONARY'S  RETURN,  AND  RECEPTION  BY 
THE  PEOPLE. 

As  we  approached  Diarbekir,  the  people  came  out  by 
scores  and  hundreds  to  meet  their  beloved  teachers.  The 
children  of  the  Sunday-schools  sang  hymns  of  rejoicing,  and 
glad  welcomes  resounded  on  every  side.  In  the  midst  of 
this  joyous  throng  the  missionary  and  his  family  were  borne 
along  with  more  than  royal  triumph.  The  City  was  now  in 
full  view  ;  soldiers  paced  back  and  forth  upon  its  black  walls 
between  the  huge  towers,  of  which  there  were  twenty  on  the 
side  next  the  plain,  with  many  narrow  slits  for  windows, 
whence  the  arrows  and  javelins  of  ancient  warfare  were 
hurled  upon  besieging  armies.  Suddenly  there  issued  from 
one  of  the  gates  a  company  of  sixty  Protestant  women,  look 
ing,  in  their  white  sheets,  like  so  many  apparitions  of  by 
gone  centuries. 


DIARBEKIR.  49! 


Gathering  around  their  missionary  u  Hanum,"  they  show 
ered  their  welcomes  upon  her  and  the  three  children,  with 
many  smiles  and  tears.  We  passed  beneath  the  shadow 
of  those  dark  walls,  and  entered  "  through  the  gates 
into  the  city."  Turkish  guards  looked  with  amazement  upon 
the  great  procession  which  the  people  nocked  to  see ;  and 
the  Pasha  inquired  the  meaning  of  the  royal  escort,  as 
the  faithful  servant  of  Christ  returned  to  lift  again  the  stand 
ard  of  the  cross  in  that  old  Moslem  city. 

A  few  busy  days  are  spent  in  refurbishing  the  missionary 
dwelling,  and  receiving  the  callers  who  are  constantly  com 
ing  notwithstanding  the  pouring  rain.  And  when  we  are 
somewhat  settled,  our  plans  are  laid  for  the  Winter's  work. 
It  appears  that  during  the  absence  of  the  missionaries,  the 
people,  and  the  women  especially,  have  gone  back  to  the 
more  exclusive  use  of  Armenian  as  their  family  and  religious 
language.  And  since  Mrs.  Walker's  missionary  tongue  is 
Turkish,  and  her  children  will  require  more  of  her  time  than 
formerly,  it  is  her  earnest  desire  that  I  should  conduct  most 
of  the  meetings  for  mothers  during  my  stay.  She,  mean 
while,  finding  plenty  of  work  in  visiting  and  caring  for  the 
sick,  and  in  incidental  opportunities  of  doing  good,  of  which 
there  is  no  lack. 

I  am  much  pleased  with  the  appearance  of  the  people ; 
many  of  them  have  a  fine  physique,  of  superior  stature  and 
carriage.  They  seem  higher  in  the  scale  of  civilization,  are 
generally  more  refined  and  better  dressed  than  in  most  East 
ern  towns  which  I  have  visited ;  and  their  houses  are  well- 
built  and  furnished,  being  mostly  of  stone,  with  glass  win 
dows  ;  some  of  these  konaks  are  really  very  imposing. 


492  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


THE    ORNAMENTS,  OR   DOWERY,  OF    THE   WOMEN  OF 
ME  SOP  0  TAMIA. 

The  display  of  jewels  in  the  ornamentation  of  the  femi 
nine  apparel,  exceeds  anything  that  I  have  yet  seen,  especially 
the  singular,  helmet-like  head-dress  which  nearly  covers  the 
forehead  and  reaches  down  to  the  ears,  thickly  studded  with 
pearls  and  edged  with  rows  of  gold  coins.  The  silk  veil 
worn  in  the  house,  which  floats  gracefully  over  the  should 
ers,  is  frequently  edged  with  coins ;  and  a  profusion  of 
precious  stones,  uncut  and  rudely  set,  are  worn  in  rings  and 
necklaces,  and  distributed  upon  various  portions  of  the  dress. 
As  elsewhere  in  the  East,  the  long  braids  of  hair  are  heavily 
hung  with  coins.  These  ornaments  are  the  "  dowery  "  of  the 
women,  their  own  exclusive  property,  which  the  law  cannot 
touch  ;  and  many  a  wife  throughout  the  Empire  who  wears 
upon  her  person  more  than  enough  to  redeem  her  husband 
from  the  clamcrs  of  his  creditors,  or  release  him  from  prison, 
would  not  part  with  one  of  the  precious  coins  for  that  pur 
pose  !  As  soon  as  a  daughter  is  born,  the  mother,  however 
poor,  commences  providing  her  dowery ;  adding  piece  by 
piece  the  coins  of  copper,  silver,  or  gold  which  she  may  have 
earned,  or  which  have  been  handed  down  in  the  family  as 
an  heir  loom  for  many  generations.  Such  pieces  represent 
far  more  than  the  current  value  of  the  coin  to  the  wearer, 
and  the  loss  of  a  silver  or  gold  piece  from  her  head-dress 
would  occasion  great  anxiety  and  an  unwearied  search — as 
our  Savior  knew  and  probably  had  seen  when  He  uttered  the 
parable  of  the  lost  coin.  Unmarried  maidens  are  known  by 
the  veil  of  crimson  silk,  and  the  wealth  and  n-ink  of  her 
family  are  revealed  by  the  jewels  which  she  wears.  Syrian 


DIARBEKIR.  493 


women  wear  immense  clasps  of  silver  to  their  girdles,  and 
the  little  tinkling  silver  bells  upon  the  ankles  of  the  younger 
children  —  which  frequently  disturb  the  Sunday  service  — 
were  once  worn  by  these  Eastern  ladies.  These,  with  their 
stomachers,  spangled  ornaments,  bracelets,  head-bands,  and 
broad  thumb  rings  of  gold,  remind  one  of  the  elaborate 
description  in  the  third  chapter  of  Isaiah. 

THE    TEACHERS'  MEETING. 

It  is  two  hours  before  sunset,  at  the  close  of  the  week. 
From  one  of  the  lofty  minarets  of  the  mosque  near  by,  may 
be  heard  the  sonorous  voice  of  the  muezzin  calling  the  faith 
ful  to  afternoon  prayers.  A  few  moments  later,  and  the 
outer  door  of  the  court  opens  to  admit  the  little  groups  of 
men  who  enter  and  pass  up  the  long  flight  of  stairs  leading 
to  the  parlor  of  the  missionary.  Now  all  have  assembled  ; 
a  company  of  twenty  men,  mostly  in  the  prime  of  life,  and 
two  or  three  middle-aged  women,  who  take  their  seats  be 
hind  the  brethren.  Prayer  is  offered — a  brief  petition  for 
the  presence  and  teaching  of  the  Holy  Spirit — and  a  few 
verses  of  the  Sunday-school  lesson  are  slowly  read.  And 
now  commences  an  exercise  which,  carried  on  from  week  to 
week,  year  after  year,  is  almost  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  a 
course  in  theology  for  these  Protestant  Syrians  and  Arme 
nians. 

Mr.  Walker  has  carefully  prepared  a  digest  of  the  subject  or 
subjects  contained  in  the  lesson,  and  a  list  of  questions  and 
Scriptural  answers  written  out  in  Turkish.  Each  man  is  pro 
vided  with  ink-horn,  paper,  and  pen,  which  he  draws  from  his 
girdle,  to  transcribe  this  list  from  the  teacher's  lips  for  his  own 
use  on  the  morrow.  The  other  Sunday-schools  in  the  Diarbe- 


494  THE   ROMANCE   OF  MISSIONS. 


kir  out-stations  will  also  receive  copies  of  the  same,  those 
nearest  the  city  obtaining  the  papers  in  time  for  the  following 
Sunday,  and  those  at  a  distance,  in  two  or  even  three  weeks 
hence. 

Two  of  the  younger  teachers  will  carefully  copy  their  own 
papers  for  the  damsels  to  whom  they  are  betrothed,  and  the 
larger  boys  in  the  day-school  assist  in  making  the  other  copies. 

As  each  question  is  stated,  a  free  and  animated  discussion 
takes  place,  for  these  men  have  learned  to  think  ;  the  Word 
of  God  is  their  daily  meat,  and  they  have  been  nourished  and 
strengthened  by  its  most  vital  truths.  Kindly,  as  a  father 
his  children,  the  missionary  guides  their  willing  feet  in  the 
pleasant  paths  of  true  wisdom,  teaching  them  to  avoid  "  fool 
ish  questions  and  genealogies,  and  contentions  and  strivings 
about  the  law."  A  "  thus  saith  the  Lord,"  is  the  end  of  all 
controversy. 

It  is  a  scene  long  to  be  remembered,  that  company  of  solid, 
intelligent  men.  Most  of  them  are  really  noble  and  com 
manding  in  bodily  presence,  and  the  full  flow  and  sweep  of 
their  national  costume  imparts  a  certain  dignity  which  implies 
that  they  belong  to  the  higher  walks  of  life.  Yet  with  child 
like  meekness  they  sit  on  the  floor  at  their  teacher's  feet. 

The  lesson  is  that  of  the  Prodigal  Son  ;  only  two  verses, 
containing  the  account  of  the  son's  return  and  his  reception. 
The  questions  are  very  simple,  evidently  intended  to  touch 
upon  the  old  belief  of  the  Eastern  churches  in  the  intercession 
of  saints.* 


*  'I'll is  was  years  before  the  introduction  of  the  International  Les 
sons,  (which  mark  a  new  and  blessed  era  in  the  study  of  the  Word 
of  God,)  and  was  greatly  blessed  in  diffusing  a  knowledge  of  the 
gospel,  and  in  training  the  people  to  be  intelligent  Christians. 


DIARBEKIR.  495 


1.  What  did  the  prodigal  son  do  after  coming  to  himself? 

2.  If  in  this  plight  he  had  gone  to  some  one  else,  would  his 
repentance  have  been  as  evident  ? 

3.  If  he  had  sent  some  one  else  to  his  father,  would  it  have 
been  becoming  a  penitent  ? 

4.  Have  we  Christ's  testimony  that  a  repenting  sinner  can 
thus  go  to  our  Heavenly  Father?     Luke  xviii.  13,  14. 

5.  For  one  coming  to  God  what  is  necessary?     Heb.  xi.  6. 

6.  If  this  prodigal  son  had  not  believed,  would  he  have  gone 
to  him  ? 

7.  What  was  the  nature  of  his  faith  ? 

8.  What  may  we  learn  from  it  respecting  the  faith  which  the 
penitent  must  exercise  in  God  ?     Ans.   His  faith  was  a  confi 
dence  in  his  father  that  he  would  do  right — not  that  he  be 
made  a  son,  and  treated  to  fatted  calf. 

9.  How  did  the  father  receive  him  ? 

10.  What  puts  the  sinner  far  from  God  ?     Isa.  lix.  2. 

11.  What  does  the  father's  seeing  him  afar  off  and  running 
to  him,  show  ?     (Mercy). 

12.  What  his  falling  on  his  neck  and  kissing  him  ?     (Love.) 

13.  Has   God    such   love  and   mercy   toward    the    sinner  ? 
Ans.  Acts  ii.  39.     Eph.  ii.  13,  17.     Isa.  Ixv.  24. 

14.  AVill  not  one  who  does  not  return  to  so  merciful  a  God 
be  without  excuse  ?     Prov.  i.  29-31. 

15.  What  is  the  meaning  of  "  I  have  sinned  against  heaven  ?" 
Ans.  The  place  is  put  for  Him  who  dwelleth  in  it. 

16.  Is  not  every  sin  against  man  also  against  God  ?    Ans. 
Matt.  xxv.  40,  45. 

17.  Is  there  any  sin  against  God  which  is  not  against  man 
also  ? 

18.  Is  every  sin  in  God's  sight  ?    Ans.   Ps.  xi.  4.     Heb.  iv.  13. 


496  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


19.  What  did  the  son  profess  in  regard  to  his  unworthiness, 
and  what  spirit  did  this  show  ? 

20.  How  does  such  a  spirit  appear  to  God  ? 

21.  Is  not  such  a  spirit  proper  for  every  one  who  has  sinned  ? 

22.  Does  God   take    notice  of  one  who  possesses   such   a 
spirit  ?     Ans.  Isa.  Ixvi.  2. 

23.  What  other  blessing  is  promised  to  such  persons  ?     Ps. 
xxxiv.  1 8. 

The  time  passes  away  too  swiftly.  The  pupil-teachers  have 
gathered  near  the  windows  (which  open  into  the  court)  to 
catch  the  last  gleams  of  departing  day.  But  the  curtain  of 
night  falls  upon  the  earth,  and  the  stars  come  out  in  the  patch 
of  blue  sky  that  is  visible  above  the  wilderness  of  roofs  ;  and 
after  imploring  the  Divine  blessing,  and  aid  in  imparting  what 
they  have  received,  on  the  coming  Sunday,  they  disperse  to 
their  homes. 

THE   SUXDA  Y-SCHOOL. 

The  noon  cry  of  the  muezzin  is  also  the  signal  for  this  gath 
ering  to  study  the  Bible.  For,  in  this  ancient  city  on  the 
shores  of  the  Tigris,  are  Armenians,  Syrians,  Chaldeans,  and 
even  Greek  Jacobites, — with  the  descendants  of  the  Parsees,  or 
fire-worshipers, — not  a  few  of  whom  profess  to  receive  Christ  as 
their  Prophet,  and  the  Cross  as  their  symbol,  dwelling  in  the 
shadow  of  the  Crescent,  and  worshiping  God  according  to  the 
dictates  of  their  conscience. 

A  large  company  of  men.  women,  and  children  are  quietly 
collected  in  the  assembly-room  of  the  chapel-building  (which 
was  once  the  English  consulate),  and  others  are  continually 
coming  in  and  taking  their  seats  upon  the  lloor.  It  is  pleasant 
to  look  down  from  the  slight  elevation  of  a  camp-stool  upon 


DIARBEKIR.  4Q/ 


the  sea  of  heads.  The  opening  exercises  are  conducted  with 
peculiar  interest  by  Mr.  Walker,  after  his  absence  of  a  year  and 
a  half.  The  classes  are  then  formed  in  their  accustomed  places, 
and  soon  the  busy  hum  of  voices  sounds  in  every  direction. 
Here  and  there  flits  the  loving  and  beloved  missionary,  watch 
ing  with  deep  interest  and  beaming  face  the  progress  of  his 
flock,  and  noting  any  change  that  has  taken  place — no  doubt 
thanking  God  for  the  evidence  that  the  labor  of  past  years  has 
not  been  in  vain  in  the  Lord  ;  for  he  and  his  devoted  wife  were 
permitted  to  lay  the  foundations  of  this  blessed  work,  when 
they  came  fresh  and  vigorous  from  America  thirteen  years  ago. 
Sitting  near  a  large  class  of  women  in  the  little  gallery,  I 
listen  with  interest  to  an  elderly  man  who  is  instructing  then), 
and  notice  that  he  often  refers  to  the  paper  prepared  the  night 
before  at  the  teachers'  meeting.  There  are  additional  classes 
in  adjoining  rooms,  and  every  available  spot  in  the  building 
seems  alive  with  teachers  and  pupils.  In  one  of  these  side- 
rooms  I  am  delighted  to  find  Elbice,  one  of  my  old  pupils, 
teaching  seventy  of  the  smaller  boys  and  girls.  She  is  hearing 
their  recitations  of  Bible  stories,  or  verses  and  hymns  which 
they  have  learned  during  the  week.  One  little  boy  repeats  the 
story  of  the  Prodigal  Son  :  A  pretty  little  girl  with  flaxen  hair 
and  bright  blue  eyes  (of  which  uncommon  features  there  are 
two  or  three  specimens)  tells  that  of  Samuel,  going  through 
with  the  calling  of  his  name  by  the  Lord,  again  and  again,  in 
a  very  impressive  manner.  A  boy  of  eight  or  ten  years  repeats 
page  after  page  of  "  Pilgrim's  Progress,"  ringing  the  changes 
on  the  names  of  the  speakers — Christian  and  Talkative — as 
fast  as  his  tongue  can  move,  till  stopped,  that  others  may  have 
their  turn.  After  the  singing  I  make  a  short  address,  to  which 
they  give  good  attention.  And  finding  that  Elbice  can  scarcely 


498  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

do  justice  to  so  many,  promise  to  accept  hereafter  the  care  of 
the  forty  little  boys,  in  another  room,  while  she  retains  the 
girls.  The  tinkling  of  a  little  bell  in  the  larger  room  brings  the 
scattered  classes  together,  and  the  roll  is  called.  "  Three  hun 
dred  and  forty  present  to-day,"  says  Mr.  Walker. 

He  then  briefly  reviews  the  lessons,  asks  a  few  practical 
questions  —  sometimes  varied  with  recitations  by  the  boys,  of 
selections  made  by  themselves  or  teachers,  to  which  the 
people  listen  with  great  interest,  —  and  the  school  closes 
with  singing  and  prayer.  There  are  no  Sunday-school 
books,  no  diagrams  drawn  on  the  black-board,  no  prizes,  or 
clap-trap  of  any  kind  to  attract  and  retain  pupils  ;  and  yet  I 
never  saw  more  evident  and  intelligent  interest  among  both 
old  and  young,  and  was  never  more  deeply  impressed  with  the 
magnitude  of  the  Sunday-school  work,  especially  in  a  country 
where  not  only  the  children,  but  the  parents,  must  be  taught 
the  first  principles  of  Christianity. 


A   PLAYER-MEETING  AT   THE  HOUSE   OF  A 
FORMER  PUPIL. 

On  Monday  afternoon  several  of  the  sisters  in  the  church 
called  on  their  way  to  the  weekly  prayer-meeting,  and  I  accom 
panied  them.  It  was  held  at  the  house  of  Sadie,  a  Syrian  by 
birth,  who  was  trained  in  the  school  at  Constantinople.  The 
meeting  had  begun,  and  Sadie  was  praying  when  we  arrived. 
As  I  stood  in  the  door-way,  and  listened  to  her  fervent  peti 
tions  for  the  coming  of  Christ's  kingdom  in  that  and  every  land, 
and  the  breathings  of  her  soul  for  a  closer  walk  with  God,  I 
was  much  moved.  My  mind  went  back  to  that  never-to-be- 
forgotten  Sunday  evening  in  the  school-home  at  Hasskeuy, 


DIARBEKIR.  499 


when    she  was   the   first  of  the  "  six  "  to  rise,  and  signify  her 
decision  to  follow  Christ. 

When  we  entered  the  room,  Sadie,  who  evidently  did  not 
expect  me  that  day,  quietly  pointed  to  a  cushioned  arm-chair, 
and  commenced  reading  the  chapter  which  she  had  selected. 
I  looked  around  with  pleased  surprise  at  the  evidence  of  neat 
ness,  order,  and  a  cultivated  taste  everywhere  visible — white 
washed  walls,  adorned  with  a  few  neatly-framed  pictures  (mostly 
of  missionary  friends),  a  pretty  clock  ticking  in  a  niche  at  one 
side,  a  tidy  carpet  on  the  floor,  and  an  inviting  divan  at  either 
end.  Upon  the  round  table  was  a  vase  of  flowers,  a  handsome 
kerosene  lamp,  a  few  specimens  of  handiwork  in  mats,  bas 
kets,  etc.,  besides  two  nicely-bound  family  Bibles,  in  Armenian 
and  Syriac,  with  a  few  other  books,  and  the  diploma  of  a 
younger  sister  just  graduated  at  Harpoot !  The  windows  were 
curtained  with  white  muslin,  and  a  tight-air  stove  diffused  an 
agreeable  warmth  through  the  room,  a  portion  of  which  had 
evidently  been  partitioned  off  for  a  sleeping-apartment  by  a 
movable  cloth-covered  frame.  Sadie's  two  little  children  were, 
like  herself,  neatly  dressed  ;  she  was  ladylike,  modest,  and 
unassuming  in  manner,  yet  perfectly  self-possessed,  speaking 
with  warmth  and  earnestness  to  her  more  ignorant  sisters  of 
the  "  Good  Shepherd,  and  the  sheep  who  know  His  voice  and 
follow  Him."  There  were  thirty-five  women  and  large  girls 
present,  besides  fifteen  children.  During  the  absence  of  the 
missionaries  and  the  Protestant  pastor  (whose  wife  had  been  a 
school-mate  of  Sadie's,  and  died  some  years  before)  the  leader 
ship  of  the  Protestant  sisters  had  almost  wholly  devolved  upon 
this  young  wife  and  mother  ;  and  she  had  been  faithful  to  her 
trust,  notwithstanding  poor  health  and  family  cares,  besides  a 
self-supporting  day-school  of  twenty  children  in  her  own  home, 


50O  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

for  which  the   pecuniary  compensation   amounted   to  scarcely 
one  dollar  per  month. 

When  several  prayers  had  been  offered,  Sadie  asked  me  to 
address  the  little  company.  After  alluding  to  the  surprise  it 
was  to  find  myself  among  them, — how  little  I  had  dreamed  that 
God  would  ever  lead  me  into  the  country  of  His  faithful  ser 
vant  Abraham,  and  what  joy  it  was  to  meet  there  five  of  those 
whom  I  had  helped  to  train  for  Christ's  service, — I  spoke  of 
their  duties  and  responsibilities  as  Christian  women;  and  read 
an  extract  referring  to  that  subject  from  my  mother's  last  letter, 
viz.  :  that  "  the  MOTHERS  must  be  converted  before  there  could 
be  a  Christian  nation  ;  "  enforcing  the  truth  by  facts  and  illustra 
tions.  This  was  very  pleasantly  received,  and  we  looked 
forward  to  many  similar  occasions  of  profitable  teaching  and 
Christian  fellowship  during  the  Winter. 

THE    CHILDREN'S  MEETING. 

Finding  the  hour  on  Sunday  too  brief  a  time  for  all  the  re- 
Ifrnous  instruction  that  the  children  needed,  I  cast  about  for 
some  additional  way  in  which  to  make  my  mark  upon 
those  young  and  impressible  minds.  Finally,  nothing  seemed 
more  practicable  than  a  special  meeting  at  the  chapel  on  Satur 
day  of  each  week,  at  which  attendance  should  be  purely  vol 
untary.  At  first  thirty  or  forty  came,  but  in  a  few  weeks  we 
counted  sixty-nine  boys,  fifty  girls,  and  half  a  dozen  women. 
And  they  came  in  the  stormiest  weather  ;  nothing  could  keep 
them  from  the  "Children's  Meeting."  ]?y-and-by,  more  of  the 
parents  came,  and  sat  behind  the  little  folk,  listening  as  eagerly 
and  intently  as  they  to  the  simple  presentation  of  Bible  truth. 
It  was  touching  to  see  nged  grandfathers  tottering  in,  holding 
the  wee  ones  Ly  the  hand,  and  sitting  down  among  them  in 


DIARBEKIR.  50! 


their  second  childhood.  There  were  half  a  dozen  or  more 
boys  of  fourteen  and  sixteen  years  of  age  who  attended  regu 
larly,  and  took  turns  as  ushers  ;  so  that  on  my  arrival  at  the 
appointed  hour,  my  little  people  were  seated  in  orderly  array, 
and  ready  for  the  song  with  which  the  exercise  commenced. 
It  was  no  small  matter  to  be  thoroughly  prepared  for  these 
weekly  lectures.  Selecting  for  each  occasion  a  special  topic, 
most  of  the  morning  was  devoted  to  the  careful  preparation  of 
thoughts  and  illustrations  which  should  make  it  clear  to  their 
untutored  minds.  My  first  aim  was  to  awaken  their  minds  to 
think  about  themselves,  and  their  relations  to  God  and  man. 
Then  particular  sins  were  discussed,  one  by  one,  drawing  from 
the  children  their  Scripture  knowledge  concerning  each  sub 
ject.  After  which  we  discoursed  respecting  the  "  Spirit  which 
worketh  in  the  children  of  disobedience  ;"  and  the  children 
gave  all  the  names  by  which  Satan  is  mentioned  in  the  Bible 
as  a  living  person,  an  enemy  to  all  goodness,  and  an  active  and 
watchful  foe  in  every  heart.  This  was  followed  by  a  discussion 
about  the  fear  cf  the  Lord — which  "  is  to  hate  evil  ;"  and  an 
other  about  the  Holy  Spirit,  whose  indwelling  presence  may  as 
surely  be  known  as  that  of  the  Evil  One,  by  the  thoughts,  and 
words,  and  acts  of  the  life.  Not  more  than  twenty  minutes  at  a 
time  was  given  to  these  familiar  talks,  and  after  singing  some 
of  the  old  songs,  a  new  one  was  taught  them. 

One  day  I  had  finished  telling  an  affecting  story  of  a  little 
boy  who  was  left  alone  in  the  world,  among  wicked  people, 
and  tempted  to  steal  to  satisfy  his  hunger,  but  was  restrained 
by  the  fear  of  the  Lord  ;  when  a  sturdy  little  fellow  with  a 
magnificent  head,  and  bushy  brown  hair  falling  over  his  shoul 
ders,  started  up,  his  eyes  shining,  and  his  face  glowing  with  the 
intensity  of  his  feeling  as  he  eagerly  said,  "Varzhoohi,  /  know 


502  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

a  beautiful  story/'''  "Well,  what  is  it,  Hagop  ? "  "O,  it  is 
all  about  the  'man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief,  who 
was  brought  as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter,  and  as  a  sheep  before 
her  shearers  is  dumb,  so  he  opened  not  his  mouth:'"  Giving 
partly  in  his  own  words,  and  partly  in  the  language  of  Scripture, 
that  inimitable  fifty-third  chapter  of  Isaiah.  When  the  little  lad 
repeated  the  words,  "  Yet  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  bruise  him  ; 
he  hath  put  him  to  grief" — it  touched  a  tender  chord,  and  afforded 
an  opportunity  to  tell  the  children  that  sufferings  and  trials  in 
this  world,  are  no  proof  of  God's  forgetful  ness,  or  want  of 
affection  for  His  children  ;  but  rather  of  the  Everlasting  Love, 
which  is  going  to  give  them  the  BEST  THINGS — by-and-by, — for 
the  only  evil  to  the  Christian  is  that  which  touches  his  soul. 

It  appeared  that  the  children  repeated  at  home  what  they 
had  learned,  in  the  evenings  when  each  family  were  together, 
and  the  neighbors  had  dropped  in  for  a  chat.  And  some 
times  when  I  was  leaving  the  chapel,  at  the  close  of  the  Sun 
day  service,  the  mothers  would  grasp  my  hand,  and  say,  "  We 
are  very  much  thankful  that  you  teach  our  children  so  much  ! 
They  come  home  and  tell  it  all  over,  and  we  see  how  much 
they  learn." 

"  Of  course  there  will  be  no  Children's  Meeting  to-day,"  said 
Mr.  Walker,  one  Saturday  after  the  Spring  had  opened.  "This 
is  the  first  day  of  Bairam,  or  feast,  (after  the  forty  days'  fast  of 
Ramazan,)  when  the  more  fanatical  of  the  Moslems  vent  their 
spite  upon  the  Christians,  and  Protestant  parents  will  surely 
keep  their  children  at  home  ! " 

But  notwithstanding  the  risk  of  being  pelted  with  rotten  eggs, 
sticks  and  stones,  and  drenched  with  water,  sixty  of  our  brave 
boys  and  girls  made  their  appearance  at  the  appointed  time, 
some  of  the  fathers  bringing  the  younger  ones,  and  staying 


DIARBEKIR.  503 


through  the  hour  to  protect  them  in  going  home.  The  six  manly 
"ushers"  (most  of  whom  were  apprenticed  to  various  trades) 
constituted  themselves  my  body-guard,  escorting  me  through 
the  streets  with  all  the  dignity  and  courtesy  of  high-bred  gentle 
men.  A  quiet  afternoon  visit  with  them  on  another  occasion, 
revealed  the  fact  that  all  but  one  of  these  boys  were  hoping  in 
Christ ;  and  that  they  wished  to  be  prepared  to  preach  the 
gospel. 

THE   V/ORK  AMONG  THE  MOTHERS. 

After  a  preliminary  "  talk  "  with  the  sisters  in  the  church, 
our  Mothers'  Meetings  were  held  from  house  to  house,  in  vari 
ous  quarters  of  the  city,  to  draw  in  those  who  would  go  to  a 
neighbor's  dwelling,  but  would  not  enter  the  chapel  or  mission 
ary  house. 

That  first  meeting  seemed  to  be  the  key-note  to  the  Winter's 
work ;  and  one  of  the  most  intelligent  and  interesting  of  the 
women  afterward  dated  her  conversion  from  the  impressions  re 
ceived  on  that  occasion,  when  the  subject  of  discourse  was,  "A 
mere  profession,"  from  the  words  "  Leaves  only,"  in  the  par 
able  of  the  barren  fig-tree. 

As  the  weeks  came  and  went,  the  attendance  at  these  meet 
ings  increased  from  forty  or  fifty,  to  eighty  and  one  hundred. 
It  was  our  aim  to  enlighten  conscience  upon  the  foundation- 
truths  of  the  gospel,  and  lead  them  to  Christ.  When  special 
instruction  was  given  to  mothers  on  the  training  of  their  chil 
dren,  much  interest  was  manifested  by  women  who  had  hitherto 
held  themselves  aloof  from  the  Protestants  ;  and  Syrian  and 
Armenian  konaks  never  before  opened  to  them,  were  offered 
for  our  meetings.  As  we  passed  over  the  threshold  of  one  of 
these  great  stone  mansions,  and  met  the  younger  women  of  the 


504  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

family, clad  in  costly  array,  and  richly  adorned  with  gold,  and 
pearls,  and  precious  stones,  one  of  the  Christian  sisters  whisper 
ed  in  my  ear,  "  This  is  the  first  time  that  a  Protestant  has  ever 
entered  these  doors  !  "  There  were  seventy-nine  assembled  on 
that  occasion,  to  hear  about  the  "Duties  of  Mothers." 

The  talk  about  "Family  Discipline"  was  given  by  special 
request  at  the  konak  of  Pilgrim  Ibrahim,  a  wealthy  Syrian  to 
bacco  merchant.  Eighty  well-dressed  women  were  present  in  the 
large  and — according  to  Oriental  ideas — imposingly-furnished 
room. 

At  the  close,  one  of  the  good  Protestant  mothers  said  with 
evident  emotion,  "You  make  us  feel  our  duties  !  I  am  weak, 
I  could  not  do  all  I  would  before,  and  now  my  responsibility 
has  increased." 

The  simple  exposition  of  the  "  New  Birth," — in  our  Savior's 
words  to  Nicodemus, — was  repeated,  by  request,  in  the  Syrian 
quarter  of  the  city.  The  long  and  spacious  room  was  literally 
packed  till  it  could  contain  no  more.  The  window-seats  were 
filled,  and  little  girls  were  placed  in  the  niches  of  the  wall,  while 
others  climbed  upon  the  great  pile  of  bedding  at  one  end.  I 
never  felt  more  deeply  my  own  ignorance  and  inability  to  ex 
plain  the  deep  things  of  God,  and  bring  them  down  to  the  com 
prehension  of  such  undisciplined  minds,  than  when  attempting 
the  preparation,  in  a  foreign  language,  of  this  most  wonderful 
theme.  Surely  He  whose  aid  we  sought,  granted  the  petition, 
for  the  Holy  Spirit  seemed  to  be  visibly  present,  and  the  most 
fixed  and  solemn  attention  was  given  during  the  hour  that  we 
were  together. 

Here  and  there  among  the  crowd  of  upturned  faces,  was  one 
and  another  which  witnessed  to  a  personal  experience  of  the  new 
life,  while  others  looked  solemnized  and  anxious.  Sadie  closed 


DIARBEKIR.  505 


the  meeting  with  a  prayer  which  seemed  to  come  from  the  depths 
of  her  heart;  and  as  the  company  quietly  dispersed  in  little 
groups,  many  paused  to  exchange  greetings  with  Mrs.  Walker 
and  myself,  expressing  their  gratitude  for  the  truths  to  which 
they  had  listened. 

After  these  meetings,  numbers  of  the  women  came  to  us  for 
personal  conversation  and  inquiry,  on  Wednesday  afternoon 
of  each  week,  (and  Mrs.  Walker  commenced  a  monthly  meet 
ing  with  the  church  members.)  We  found  them  in  all  the  vari 
ous  stages  of  enlightenment,  conviction  of  sin,  or  trust  in 
Christ.  Several  hoped  that  they  had  lately  been  "born  again," 
but  as  we  could  not  tell  how  genuine  these  conversions  might 
be,  we  made  no  estimate  of  numbers,  leaving  them  to  be  tested 
by  time.  Some  were  shallow,  self-righteous  and  complacent, 
totally  ignorant  of  themselves;  and  we  realized  afresh  the  neces 
sity  of  laying  the  foundations  broad  and  deep,  in  the  evangeli 
zation  of  this  people.  Mere  surface-work  will  not  answer  here  : 
There  must  be  a  deep  consciousness  of  guilt,  and  of  the  exceeding 
bitterness  of  sin,  before  there  will  be  any  radical  change  in  the 
heart  or  life.  We  might  have  converts  by  the  score,  if  we 
would  but  give  this  people  a  milk-and-water  Gospel,  all  Love, 
and  no  Justice — half-truths — leaving  out  the  Law,  which  is 
"  the  School-master  to  bring  us  to  Christ."  If  this  sort  of 
preaching  and  teaching  will  do  for  " Advanced thinkers"  who 
have  shaken  off  the  shackles  of  old  beliefs,  and  so-called  super 
stitions, — WHICH  MADE  THEIR  FATHERS  STRONG  PILLARS  OF 
FAITH  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST,  AND  VIGOROUS,  FRUIT- 
BEARING  TREES  IN  THE  VINEYARD  OF  THE  LORD, it  will 

never  suffice  for  a  people  who  have  felt  its  paralyzing  influence 
for  centuries  : — In  a  church  where  the  various  classes  of  society, 
however  sunk  in  degradation  and  out-breaking  sin,  are,  by  vir- 


506  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


tuc  of  birth  and  baptism,  admitted  to  all  its  rights  and  privi 
leges  : — For  this  is  the  ultimate  tendency  of  such  Iwsc  thinking 
and  teaching. 

It  is  a  recapitulation  of  Satan's  subtile  preaching  to  mother 
Eve  in  the  garden  :  "Yea,  hath  God  said" — so  and  so?  "  Ye 
shall  not  surely  die!" — Interpreting  God's  word  to  suit  his 
own  thought. 

God  save  our  churches  from  drifting  into  unbelief  of  His 
Word,  by  the  recoil  of  the  natural  heart  from  truths  and  doc 
trines  which  are  distasteful,  and  even  hateful,  till  seen  in  the 
light  of  a  new  love,  and  a  spiritual  nature  !  THE  P>IBLE  is  ONE 
GRAND  WHOLE  ;  and,  "what  God  hath  joined  together,  let  not 
man  put  asunder  !  " 

BUILDIXG  THE  MISSION  CHAPEL. 

About  this  time  the  increase  of  attendance  at  the  Protestant 
place  of  worship,  rendered  it  necessary  to  open  a  new  chapel 
in  the  Syrian  quarter.  In  planning  for  this  enterprise,  Ave  all 
felt  that  it  was  really  necessary  for  the  Christian  growth  and 
development  of  the  Protestants,  that  they  should  furnish  most 
of  the  funds  for  this  new  House  of  the  Lord.  And  Mrs.  Wal 
ker  and  I  promised  to  "stir  up"  the  women  at  our  next  meet 
ing.  The  subject  selected  for  the  occasion  was,  "  ROUBING 
GOD,"  from  the  third  chapter  of  Malachi.  There  were  just  one 
hundred  present.  After  the  usual  exercises,  and  the  exposition 
of  the  Scripture  read,  the  proposal  to  aid  in  bringing  "all  the 
tithes  into  the  store-house,"  that  the  chapel  might  be  built,  and 
none  who  wished  to  hear  the  truth  might  go  away  unfed,  was 
laid  before  them  by  Mrs.  Walker.  The  response  was  almost 
instantaneous,  and  the  scene  around  us  became  very  lively. 
Though  no  allusion  had  been  made  by  either  Mrs.  Walker  or 


DIARBEKIR.  507 


myself,  to  the  giving  up  of  ornaments,  numbers  of  the  women 
were  cutting  the  precious  coins  from  their  head-dresses,  or  as 
sisting  their  friends  in  doing  so,  arsd  passing  them  up  to  us. 
Others  gave  their  ear-rings ;  two  or  three  young  women  each 
slipped  from  her  finger  a  valuable  gold  ring,  set  with  a  turquoise 
and  rubies.  One  poor  woman  took  from  her  woven  girdle,  a 
silver  clasp  which  looked  very  ancient ;  it  was  her  only  orna 
ment  ;  this  she  presented  with  tears  of  joy  as  her  free-will 
offering — THE  "  LOVE  OF  CHRIST  CONSTRAINING," — and  then 
tied  her  tunic  with  a  common  tow  string  !  A  woman  with 
considerable  property,  subscribed  two  or  three  hundred  pias 
tres  ;  others,  forty  or  fifty  each.  And  one  woman  whose  hus 
band  was  blind,  and  the  family  dependent  upon  her  exertions 
for  support,  with  occasional  aid  from  the  "poor  fund"  of  the 
church,  could  not  be  denied  the  privilege,  and  gave  one  pias 
tre  for  herself,  putting  twenty  paras  into  the  hand  of  each  of 
her  little  girls,  that  they  also  might  share  in.  the  blessed  luxury 
of  giving  to  Him,  who  "  though  He  was  rich,  yet  for  our  sakes 
became  poor,  that  we  through  His  poverty  might  be  rich." 
Her  earnest  grasp  of  my  hand,  and  the  warmth  with  which  she 
spoke  of  her  desire  to  do  more,  was  better  than  gold  :  "  That 
one  piastre  given  from  her  deep  poverty,  is  worth  more  than 
fifty  or  a  hundred  from  some  of  these  women  ! "  said  Mrs. 
Walker.  And  we  both  noticed  how  much  easier  it  seemed  for 
the  poor  to  give  than  the  rich.  But  we  could  not  accept  the 
sentiment,  or  indorse  the  orthodoxy  of  a  hymn  which  appeared 
in  a  popular  book  of  Sunday-school  songs,  recently  received 
from  the  United  States. 

"The  mites  have  the  blessing. 
The  dollars  have  none," 

closing  each  verse  with  the  absurd  refrain, — 

"  So  doii  i  kse  tlu  blessing  '>y  giving  too  much." 


503  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


How  such  false  doctrine  ever  found  a  place  in  the  "Songs 
of  Zion,"  was  a  mystery  to  us.  The  comment  of  a  colored 
preacher  on  the  text,  "It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  re 
ceive,"  might  be  studied  with  profit  by  those  who  perpetrate 
such  folly.  "I'se  knowed  many  a  church  to  die  'cause  it 
didn't  give  enough,  but  I  never  knowed  a  church  to  die  'cause 
it  give  too  much.  Dey  don '/  die  dat  way  !  Brederen,  has  any 
of  you  knowed  a  church  that  died  'cause  it  give  too  much  ?  If 
you  do,  just  let  me  know,  and  I'll  make  a  pilgrimage  to  dat 
church,  and  I'll  climb  by  de  soft  light  of  de  moon  to  its  inoss- 
•covered  roof,  and  I'll  stand  dar,  and  lift  my  hands  to  heaben 
and  sa\*,  '  Blessed  am  de  dead  dat  die  in  de  Lord  ! ' ' 

For  weeks  following  this  meeting,  the  women  continued  to 
bring  in  their  contributions  for  the  new  "Meeting-place," — as 
houses  of  worship  are  called  by  the  Armenians  ;  some  of 
those  who  had  given  before  thinking  that  they  had  not  done 
enough.  This  was  very  gratifying;  but  an  occasional 
spasmodic  effort  was  not  enough  to  satisfy  our  desires 
for  their  growth  and  establishment  as  stewards  of  the 
grace  of  God.  We  taught  them  that  every  Christian  family 
should  be  a  Missionary  Society  by  itself;  and  that,  in  order  to 
cultivate  a  systematic  benevolence. — oivixr.  FROM  PRINCIPLE — 
they  should  obey  the  Gospel  injunction,  "  Upon  the  first  day 
of  the  week,  let  every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God 
hath  prospered  him."  And  that  for  this  purpose  it  would  be  well 
to  have  a  little  box,  which  should  be  passed  around  at  family 
worship  every  Sunday  morning,  to  receive  the  offerings  or  sav 
ings  of  every  member  of  the  household,  however  small. 

It  appears  that  the  experiment  of  a  "  fair,"  or  "  ba/aar," 
to  raise  funds,  was  once  tried  at  Diarbekir,  and  the  result 
proved  so  unsatisfactory,  in  every  way,  that  it  will  never  be  re- 


DIARBEKIR.  509 


peated.  We  have  not  heard  of  its  being  tested  by  Missionaries, 
•  in  other  portions  of  the  ONE  GREAT  FIELD,  and  hope  the  day 
will  never  come  when  we  must  resort  to  such  expedients  to 
carry  on  our  Christian  work. 

The  children  had  been  apprised  by  their  mothers,  of  our  desire 
that  they  should  help  in  building  the  House  of  the  Lord,  and  at 
their  next  meeting,  they  were  prepared  with  their  little  offerings, 
most  of 'which  they  had  earned  during  the  week.  There  were  a 
hundred  and  twenty  gathered  on  that  occasion,  and  they  all  stood 
while  each  in  turn  came  to  drop  his  "  love-token  FOR  JESUS,"  into 
the  open  bag  which  I  held.  A  more  beautiful  sight  never  glad 
dened  my  eyes,  or  warmed  my  heart :  One  little  girl  gave  a  small 
gold  piece  from  her  head-dress,  (her  mother  looking  on  with 
smiling  assent.)  Another  a  piece  of  silver,  and  still  another, 
a  very  little  girl  led  by  the  aged  grandfather  who  lifted  her  up 
to  drop  in  five  piastres,  while  her  sweet  face  fairly  shone 
with  delight.  Two  or  three  large  girls  led  up  their  younger 
brothers  or  sisters,  who  gave  their  coppers.  One  very  small 
boy  brought  twenty  paras,  saying  triumphantly  as  he  dropped 
it  into  the  bag,  "  /  earned 'that  all  myself''  The  large  boys 
had  earned  five,  ten,  or  even  twenty  piastres  each.  The 
women  looked  on  with  beaming  faces,  and  all  the  little  givers 
appeared  as  happy  and  joyous  as  if  each  had  received  a  hand 
some  present :  They  were  learning  the  Savior's  lesson — "  It  is 
more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.  " 

The  bag  was  nearly  full,  and  very  heavy ;  when  the  money 
was  counted,  we  found  that  the  children  had  contributed  one 
hundred  and  twenty  piastres  ; — more  than  five  dollars  !  Priz 
ing  the  principle  more  than  the  piastres,  we  looked  upon  that 
sum  as  an  earnest  of  intelligent,  loving,  Christian  stewardship, 
when  those  boys  and  girls  should  take  their  places  in  the 


510  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


Church  of  Christ.  Many  of  them  were  from  miserably  poor 
families,  and  had  gone  barefooted  through  all  the  snow  and  mud 
of  the  Winter.  One  poor  boy  was  almost  heart-broken  because 
he  had  been  prevented  by  his  father's  illness  from  earning  the 
money  which  he  had  planned  to  bring.  ]Jut  his  face  brightened 
when  told  that  God  would  accept  the  will,  as  truly,  in  that 
case,  as  if  he  had  brought  his  gift.  And  the  meeting  closed 
with  a  story  to  illustrate  the  meaning  of  our  giving  to  God.* 

The  new  chapel  was  finished  and  opened  early  in  March. 
A  very  neat  and  airy  place  of  worship,  with  a  good  gallery  at 
one  end.  The  place  was  so  full  that  I  could  scarcely  find  a 
seat,  even  in  the  Sunday-school  newly  commenced.  There 
were  two  hundred  and  fifty  present  on  that  occasion,  and  three 
hundred  and  forty-three  at  the  afternoon  service ;  and  yet  the 
old  chapel  was  nearly  as  full,  with  three  hundred  in  attendance 
at  the  Sunday-school.  The  people  are  rejoicing  over  the 
work  of  their  hearts  and  hands,  and  our  joy  is  much  greater 
for  the  share  they  had  in  it. 

TRIPS  ACROSS    THE    TIGRIS,   AND   DOIVX    TO 
NINE  I Y-://. 

The  Winter,  which  had  proved  unusually  severe  for  that 
southern  region  and  climate,  passed  away  too  rapidly  for  all 
the  work  we  had  planned  to  accomplish.  When  the  snow, 
shoveled  from  the  flat  roofs,  was  melting  in  the  narrow  streets, 

*  Once  there  was  a  little  missionary  boy,  five  or  six  years  of  age, 
whose  own  mamma  had  died,  and  after  he  and  his  brother  and  sister 
had  lived  alone  with  their  papa  for  two  years,  another  mamma  came 
to  take  care  of  them  ;  but  she  too  sickened  and  died  in  a  very  short 
time.  On  New  Year's  morning  this  little  boy  went  to  his  father's 
study  and  said,  "  I  wish  you  a  '  Ilappv  New  Year,'  papa  !  "  But  Iris 
father  was  verv  sad,  and  lie  only  said,  "  There  are  no  more  happy 
New  Years'  for  nv,  my  child."  Then  the  little  boy  felt  very  sad  for 


DIARBEKIR. 


the  paths  were  sometimes  impeded,  and  the  air  of  those  un- 
warmed  stone  houses  became  very  humid  and  chilling.  Family 
visitation,  and  the  initiation  of  a  "Bible  woman"  to  carry  on 
the  work  among  them,  formed  a  part  of  our  routine,  varied  by 
occasional  trips  to  the  little  Syrian  village  of  Kutterbul,  on  the 
opposite  shore  of  the  Tigris,  the  home  of  one  of  our  pupils 
in  the  School  at  Harpoot.  There  were  but  fifty  women  in  the 
place,  and  forty-eight  were  in  attendance,  after  the  first  meeting 
or  two ;  and  though  their  language  was  Arabic,  they  understood 
Armenian  sufficiently  to  catch  the  drift  of  what  I  said.  At  first, 
Ferida  was  to  act  as  interpreter,  when  occasion  required ;  but 
after  a  few  interruptions  they  cried,  "  O,  go  on  !  we  know 
what  you  are  saying  !" 

The  violets  of  Spring  were  gladdening  our  eyes,  when  I 
again  went  over,  accompanied  by  Kitoosh — the  Bible-reader, 
and  Honig,  who  escorted  us  down  the  bluff  to  the  river-side. 
But  the  Tigris  was  so  swollen  that  my  horse  could  not  ford  its 
swift  current  as  hitherto.  While  we  waited,  a  rude  raft  came  along, 
to  which  were  attached  a  hundred  and  fifty  inflated  goat-skins 
(as  in  the  time  of  Xenophon).  Upon  this  we  seated  ourselves, 
and  were  taken  to  the  other  shore.  They  were  evidently  on  the 
watch  for  our  coming,  for  at  once  a  hand -bell  was  rung  from  a 
roof  in  the  village,  calling  the  women  together.  But  we  were 
still  several  yards  from  dry  land,  and  how  to  get  there,  dry  shod, 


his  dear  father,  and  he  wanted  to  give  him  something  to  show  his 
love.  So  he  went  to  look  over  his  little  treasures,  to  see  which  would 
be  the  best  of  all  that  was  his  very  own.  There  was  a  bright  picture 
which  he  had  once  found  pasted  on  some  broadcloth,  that  seemed  to 
him  the  most  beautiful  and  precious  of  all  that  he  possessed  ;  and  he 
did  not  wish  to  part  with  it.  But  he  so  loved  his  father  and  longed 
to  comfort  him,  that  he  took  it,  and  laid  it  in  his  hand,  saying,  "7  am 
so  sorry  for  yon,  papa  !  "  and  burst  into  tears. 


512  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


was  a  difficult  question.  At  this  moment,  the  good  preacher, 
Abdul-Noor  (one  of  Mr.  Williams'  best  pupil?,  but  slender  and 
sickly-looking),  came  down,  and  after  greeting  me,  said,  "  I 
have  come  to  carry  you  on  my  back."  This  I  could  not  al 
low,  though  very  grateful  for  his  kindness,  and  was  pondering 
in  some  perplexity  what  course  to  pursue,  when  the  brawny, 
muscular  Arab,  who  had  borne  off  the  other  passengers,  plant 
ed  himself  directly  before  me,  and  reaching  up  over  his 
shoulders,  said  imperatively,  "  Give  me  your  hands  /"  T  was 
lifted  as  if  but  a  feather,  and  soon  found  myself  safely  landed ; 
but  went  up  the  gentle  ascent  rubbing  the  poor  aching  wrists 
which  bore  the  marks  of  rough  handling  for  hours  thereafter  ! 

Those  were  blessed  gatherings  in  that  little  Syrian  village  ; 
God's  Spirit  seemed  to  be  there.  The  prayers  were  generally 
offered  in  Arabic,  by  Ferida,  or  a  pious  woman  who  was  the 
wife  of  another  of  Mr.  Williams'  pupils;  the  women  frequently 
responded,  and  their  attention  and  solemnity  was  very  impressive. 
On  one  or  two  occasions  we  went  early,  and  visited  with  Ferida' s 
father,  a  noble  Christian  man,  who  paid  the  largest  sum  given  by 
any  parent  for  the  tuition  of  his  daughter,  in  the  school  at  Harpoot 
(four  hundred  piastres  per  year).  She  was  lovely  in  character,  and 
of  unquestioned  piety ;  but  Shemmas  Suleba  was  distressed 
because  she  showed  so  little  practical,  housewifely  talent  ;  and 
begged  me  to  give  her  plenty  of  "  kitchen  work,"  to  keep  her  in 


Now  that  little  paper  picture  was  (in  itself)  of  no  value  to  the  father. 
But  he  put  it  away  very  carefully  in  his  desk,  and  years  after,  when 
ever  he  looked  at  it,  he  said  that  it  always  brought  to  mind  the  lore 
of  his  dear  son.  Now,  children,  that  is  just  the  way  in  which  Jesus 
looks  upon  our  little  offerings.  God  is  rich  ;  He  does  not  need  our 
gifts  in  the  sense  of  one  who  is  poor.  lie  says,  "The  cattle  upon  a 
thousand  hills  are  mine;  if  I  were  hungry,  I  would  not  tell  thoc  ;  for 
the  world  is  mine,  and  the  fulness  thereof."  Hut  as  the  expression  of 
our  love,  they  are  very  precious  in  His  sight. 


DTARBEKIR.  513 


practice  while  in  the  school.  Ferida's  own  mother,  who  was  as 
remarkable  a  Christian  as  she  was  a  thrifty  housewife, — answer 
ing  to  the  description  of  the  virtuous  woman  in  Proverbs, — died 
a  year  or  two  before ;  and  her  place  was  now  occupied  by  a 
pretty,  but  helpless,  inefficient  young  creature  ;  a  living  testi 
mony  to  the  truth  of  the  father's  words  about  the  training  of 
woman  for  her  future  duties. 

After  the  meetings  were  over,  we  hastened  away,  lest  ihe 
city  gates  should  be  closed,  when  none  might  go  out  or  come  in 
till  the  break  of  day  :  The  firing  of  a  gun  announced  the  fact, 
and  our  ride  up  the  steep  bluff,  next  the  city,  was  quickened  by 
the  fear  that  the  moment  was  at  hand  for  the  warning  sound. 
A  missionary  and  his  wife  once  arrived  at  Diarbekir  just  at  sun 
set,  when  the  gates  were  closed,  and  were  compelled  to  stay 
without  the  walls  till  the  day  dawned. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  planned  a  visit  to  Mardin,  in  March, 
and  we  were  all  ready  for  the  journey  of  two  or  three  days 
(south-east),  but  after  repeated  failures  on  the  part  of  faithless 
muleteers,  were  obliged  to  give  up  the  attempt  A  week  later, 
Mr.  Williams  came  to  Diarbekir  on  his  way  to  Mosul.  That 
city  was  for  many  years  the  headquarters  of  what  was  then  the 
"  Assyrian  Mission,"  till  abandoned  for  a  more  healthful  locality, 
when  it  became  an  "  out-station  "  of  Mardin. 

We  accompanied  him  to  the  river,  and  saw  him  settled  on 
the  raft  in  which  he  was  to  float  for  five  days ;  one  end  was 
covered  with  an  awning,  under  which  he  would  sleep,  when 
they  "tied  up"  at  night  near  some  village.  The  current  was 
so  rapid  that  nothing  more  was  required  in  the  way  of  naviga 
tion  than  the  occasional  use  of  a  long  pole  to  avoid  any  im 
pediment.  Yakob  had  made  suitable  provision  for  the  little 
voyage,  taking  good  care  of  his  master's  material  wants ;  and  a 
22* 


5H  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

few  books,  with  writing  materials,  furnished  mental  food  and 
occupation.  The  return  journey  must  be  overland,  through  a 
country  infested  with  banditti.  Koordistan,  with  its  lawless 
hordes  of  wandering  Circassians,  lies  on  the  eastern  shore  of 
the  Tigris,  and  travel  in  all  this  region — through  which 
Xenophon  led  the  "retreat  of  the  Ten  Thousand," — is 
more  or  less  dangerous  unless  one  is  protected  by  an 
armed  escort.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Bacon,  of  New  Haven,  Ct., 
once  had  a  sorry  experience  in  this  part  of  the  country,  on 
his  way  to  Persia.  Missionaries  generally  go  unarmed,  and 
seldom  with  more  than  one  attendant.  Dr.  Azariah  Smith,  of 
Aintab,  always  carried  bread  in  the  holsters  of  his  saddle.  His 
people  were  often  greatly  alarmed  for  his  safety,  and  sometimes 
attributed  his  preservation  in  traveling  to  a  miracle.  On  one 
occasion  he  stopped  in  his  journey  without  any  apparent  rea 
son,  at  a  point  which  was  very  dangerous.  His  servant  was 
terrified,  and  begged  him  to  go  on,  but  without  success.  A 
few  moments  elapsed,  and  a  horseman,  belonging  to  a  fierce 
band  of  robbers,  appeared,  summoning  the  Doctor,  by  the 
command  of  his  chief.  The  poor  attendant  was  beside 
himself  with  terror.  But  when  his  master  reappeared,  and 
he  learned  that  he  was  instrumental  in  saving  the  life  of 
the  chief,  who  had  seemed  at  the  point  of  death,  and  sent  him 
away  loaded  with  gratitude,  the  bewildered  servant  was  almost 
ready  to  fall  down  and  worship  one  who  seemed  gifted  with 
supernatural  wisdom  ! 

A  young  missionary  (not  now  in  the  field)  was  once  passing 
through  a  hostile  region  of  Southern  Turkey,  when  he  was  sud 
denly  seized  by  a  set  of  fierce  desperadoes.  His  servant  fled, 
and  he  was  completely  in  the  power  of  a  savage  tribe  of  the  Black 
Mountains.  lie  could  speak  their  language,  and  showing  no 


DIARBEKIR.  515 


signs  of  fear,  began  to  talk  largely  (for  he  was  somewhat  famous 
for  "  Yankee  brag")  of  what  his  countrymen  could  do.  After  ex 
patiating  upon  the  wonderful   machinery  which  they  had  in 
vented,  he  told  them  of  a  new  kind  of  pistol  which  could  shoot 
haif-a-dozen  or  more  men,  one  after  the  other,  as  quick  as  a 
flash,    without  reloading  !     The  brigands  looked  incredulous,' 
and  were  just  going  to  march  on  with  their  prisoner,  when  he 
reached  the  climax  by  saying,  "  Why,  many  a  man  in  America 
can  take  the  very  hair  off  from  his  head  (a  wig),  a-nd  put  it  on' 
again  ;  or  take  out  his  teeth  !     SEE  HERE  !"  and  suiting  the 
action  to  the  word,  he  brandished  his  false  teeth  in  their  faces, 
and  then  as  quickly  restored  them  to  their  accustomed  place. 
They  were  struck  dumb  with  astonishment ;  their  eyes  dilated, 
their  breasts  heaved,  and  then  as  if  by  a  sudden  impulse,  they  all 
took  to  their  heels  and  fled,  as  if  they  thought  the  deil  was  in 
the  man  !     [Mrs.  Ingalls,  of  the  Baptist  Mission  in  Burmah — 
in  charge  of  a  lonely  Station,  near  the  jungles — was  one  even 
ing  sitting  in  her  bungalow  with  some  of  her  helpers  and  pupils 
(a  class  of  young  men  whom  she  was  training  for  the  ministry), 
when  one  of  the  Karens  rushed  in  trembling  with  fright,  to  apprise 
her  that  the  chief  of  a  hostile  tribe  with  a  company  of  his  men 
were  coming  down  upon  them !     The  noble  woman  had  no 
time  to  make  any  defense  :     She  lifted  her  heart  in  prayer  for 
some  way  of  deliverance;    and  the  next  moment  heard  the 
tramp  of  approaching  feet     The  door  was  rudely  opened,  and 
a  swarm  of  wild  men,  with  flashing   eyes,    poured  into    the 
room.   She  alone  was  calm  and  self-possessed,  receiving  them  as 
kindly  as  if  they  were  friends.     They  seemed  for  a  moment 
subdued  by  her  manner,  and,  as  if  by  inspiration,  she  seized  it 
to  divert  their  attention  by  stories  of  America ;  telling  them, 
among  other   things,  of  '-Colt's   revolver,"  laying  her   hand, 


516  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


as  she  spoke,  upon  the  pistol  which  had  been  presented  to  her 
(dead)  husband.  The  savage  chief  listened  with  scorn  and  in 
credulity  pictured  upon  his  face.  Then  suddenly  picking  up  a 
piece  of  paper,  he  stuck  it  upon  the  wall,  and  cried,  "  SHOOT  !'' 
For  a  second  her  heart  trembled  ;  she  did  not  know  if  it  were 
loaded,  nor  how  to  use  it,  for  she  had  never  fired  a  pistol 
in  her  life :  But  again  sending  to  heaven  one  swift  petition  for 
help,  she  took  aim  ;  her  finger,  guided  by  an  unseen  hand, 
pressed  the  trigger,  and  the  ball  pierced  the  centre  of  the  tar 
get  !  Instantly,  as  if  shot  (or  expecting  that  ball  would  follow 
ball),  the  astonished  savages  rushed  from  the  place,  and  the 
missionary  widow  with  her  frightened  flock  fell  on  their  knees 
to  render  thanks  to  their  Divine  Protector.] 

As  Diarbekir  stands  alone  in  this  wild,  insulated  region,  (ar  from 
the  seat  of  government,  and  surrounded  by  hostile  foes,  one 
can  understand  the  necessity  of  guarding  ft  well.  ]>ut,  not 
withstanding  the  massive  walls  that  encompass  us,  I  never  felt 
more  timid  in  any  part  of  the  empire  ;  especially  when  Mr. 
Walker  is  absent  (as  often  of  late)  for  days  and  weeks,  on  mis 
sionary  tours  among  his  out-stations,  and  we  are  left  without  a 
man  in  the  house.  Quite  a  body  of  soldiers  are  stationed 
here,  but  they  are  our  terror  ;  the  common  Turkish  soldiers  are 
so  sunk  in  vice  and  degradation  that  one  can  scarcely  look  at 
them  without  loathing.  "  The  shew  of  their  countenances  dotJi 
witness  against  them  ;  and  they  declare  their  sin  as  Sodom,  they 
hide  it  not"  The  enemy  within  the  gates  is  quite  as  much  feared 
as  any  that  may  be  without :  And  these  immense,  black  walls 
that  shut  us  in,  cause,  at  times,  a  suffocating  feeling  of  impris 
onment,  in  contrast  with  the  freedom  of  the  Harpoot  hills.  It 
must  be  intolerable  here  in  the  intense  heat  of  the  Summer  ! 

Occasionally  we  pass  beyond  the  close  confines  of  the  city 


DIARBEKIR.  5 1/ 


walls,  and,  with  the  protection  of  an  escort,  saunter  along  the 
banks  of  the  Tigris,  for  a  change  of  air  and  exercise,  watching 
its  swiftly-flowing  current  as  it  hastens  on  its  way  down  to  the 
region  of  ancient  Babylon,  or  the  rank  vegetation  springing  up 
where  the  overflow  of  Spring  floods  left  a  rich  deposit  of  soil,— 
as  on  the  banks  of  the  Nile, — and  from  the  seeds  sown  when 
the  waters  subsided,  are  grown  luscious  melons  of  immense 
size.  We  cross  the  noble  Roman  bridge,  with  its  lofty  arches, 
forming  a  prominent  feature  in  the  landscape,  and  note  the  fish 
ermen  casting  their  nets,  and  peasants  passing  by,  as  we  talk  of 
scenes  once  enacted  on  these  shores — when  Mesopotamia  was 
the  battle-ground  of  nations  ;  and  deeply  cut  in  the  rock  at  the 
source  of  the  river,  may  now  be  found  this  inscription,  in  the  cu 
neiform  character:  "  This  is  the  third  time  that  I,Belshazzar,King 
of  Assyria,  have  conquered  this  region."  Here  are  gardens  rich 
in  verdure,  and  wooded  hill-sides,  whence  may  be  obtained  a 
fine  view  of  the  City  crowning  the  bluff  beyond,  with  domes 
and  minarets  rising  above  gloomy  battlements  and  defiant 
towers  :  And  this,  we  imagine,  might  be  found  a  delightful 
Summer  retreat.  But  an  experiment  made  under  the  protec 
tion  of  the  English  Consul  once  stationed  at  Diarbekir  (who  built 
a  country  house  near  by),  proved  a  failure,  and  after  various 
frights  from  marauders,  the  attempt  was  abandoned. 

Passing  out  from  the  gate  on  the  side  of  the  city  next  the 
plain,  we  visit  the  rude  mud  village  of  Alipoonga,  a  mile  or  two 
distant,  where,  should  the  Summer  heat  prove  too  excessive, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  propose  to  take  their  children  in  July  or 
August.  It  is  a  wretched,  dirty  place,  without  a  tree  to  cast  a 
refreshing  shadow  over  the  glare  of  the  yellow  clay  walls.  And 
a  swampy  piece  of  land,  with  sickly-looking  vegetation,  lying 
in  the  vicinity,  awakens  in  my  mind,  fear  of  malaria,  which 


518  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


they  do  not  seem  to  share.  They  point  out  the  house 
(with  a  stable  underneath,  and  the  court-yard  used  in 
common  by  neighbors  of  various  nationalities)  which  they 
are  to  occupy,  that  I  may  picture  their  surroundings  when 
we  are  separated. 

A  presentiment  of  coming  evil  in  that  dismal  place,  forces 
itself  unbidden  into  my  thoughts ;  but  every  allusion  to 
danger  is  lightly  laughed  away  by  these  fearless  spirits. 
After  our  return,  they  take  me  upon  the  high  roof  of  their 
city  house,  where,  in  a  month  or  two,  they  will  spread  their 
beds  at  night  and  sleep  with  their  little  ones.  There  is  no 
railing,  or  balustrade  of  any  kind  to  protect  one  from  falling 
(should  he  walk  about  in  his  sleep,  or  in  the  bewilderment 
of  half  unconsciousness) ;  and  my  head  grows  dizzy  as  I 
look  down  from  that  fearful  height  and  think  of  such  a 
catastrophe  ! 

Such  occurrences  are  not  infrequent  among  the  native 
families,  and  bring  to  mind  God's  command  to  the  children 
of  Israel,  "  When  thou  buildcst  a  new  house,  then  thou  shalt 
make  a  battlement  for  thy  roof,  that  thou  bring  not  blood 
upon  thine  house,  if  any  man  fall  from  thence." 

We  are  busily  engaged  in  our  usual  routine  of  work,  as 
Spring  advances;  free  from  the  taxations  of  society,  with  all 
its  conventionalities, — for  there  is  not  another  English- 
speaking  family  in  this  city  of  perhaps  fifty  or  sixty  thou 
sand  inhabitants, — and  every  day  is  filled  to  the  brim  with 
its  quantum  of  accomplished  labor:  Mr.  Walker  finding 
his  hands  more  than  full  in  the  continued  absence  of  the 
Protestant  pastor,  and  the  pressure  of  outside  work  in  his 
great  field.  F>ut  on  some  sunny  afternoon,  the  wheels  are 
brought  to  a  sudden  stand-still;  a  card  is  sent  in  (with  let- 


DIARBEKIR.  519 


ters  of  introduction  from  Bagdad)  bearing  the  name  of  Lord 
or  Viscount  P.,  the  eldest  son  of  an  English  Earl,  on  his  re 
turn  from  travels  in  Persia,  who,  with  his  retinue,  is  without, 
waiting  to  know  if  he  can  be  entertained  by  the  American 
missionary.  We  are  prepared  to  see  an  imposing  person 
age,  and  wish  to  honor  our  country  as  its  representatives,  but 
are  relieved  to  find  an  ordinary  specimen  of  humanity  (who 
blushes,  and  seems  embarrassed,  "because,"  he  says,  he 
"  has  been  so  long  away  from  the  society  of  ladies  ").  He 
makes  no  pretensions,  assumes  no  airs ;  but  we  cannot  feel 
that  he  is  made  of  any  better  clay  than  ourselves  !  And, 
during  the  three  or  four  days  of  his  lordship's  stay,  call  to 
mind  a  passage  in  a  letter  received  from  a  member  of  Par 
liament,  concerning  the  United  States  of  America,  "  where," 
he  says,  "you  have  no  lords,  but  NOBLE  MEN." 

EASTERN   WEDDINGS,   AND  FAMILY  LIFE  BELOW 
THE   SURFACE. 

One  Monday  morning,  Soosan  and  Sadie  called,  at  nine 
o'clock,  to  take  Mrs.  Walker  and  myself  to  the  Armenian 
Church  to  see  a  couple  of  weddings.  The  Spring  and  early 
Autumn  are  favorite  seasons  for  matrimonial  alliances  and 
marriage  festivities ;  and  thirty  couple  were  led  to  the  altar, 
and  "  tied  "  for  life,  on  the  previous  Monday.  The  people 
of  this  country  believe  in  u  marrying  and  giving  in  mar 
riage."  As  in  the  Romish  Church,  it  is  a  religious  duty  to 
provide  husbands  or  wives  for  those  who  have  no  interested 
or  influential  friends  to  cater  for  them  ! 

We  were  quite  early,  and  examined  the  numerous  paint 
ings,  noticing  that  here,  as  elsewhere  in  Eastern  churches, 
"St.  George  and  the  dragon"  occupied  a  conspicuous 


520  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


place.  A  number  of  Armenian  women,  who  were  waiting, 
like  ourselves,  for  the  bridal  parties,  asked  if  I  could 
read,  and  whether  I  preached  to  women  ;  and  said,  "  Come 
now,  preach  to  us !  You  have  brought  your  Gospel 
(Testament)  with  you,  haven't  you?"  I  was  very  sorry  that 
I  had  not  done  so,  and  resolved  never  again  to  be  without 
it.  However,  they  seemed  intent  upon  hearing  one  of  my 
"  preachments,"  and  brought  me  a  copy  in  the  ancient 
language,  and  listened  very  respectfully  while  I  read  the 
Sermon  on  the  Mount,  translating  verse  by  verse  into  mod 
ern  Armenian,  and  expounding  as  I  proceeded.  When  it 
was  finished,  one  of  them  nodded  her  head  approvingly, 
and  said  that  she  had  "  learned  several  things,"  and  we  gave 
them  all  a  cordial  invitation  to  attend  our  weekly  meetings. 
The  approach  of  the  wedding  procession  was  announced 
by  the  shrill  voices  of  the  boys  who  were  chanting,  accom 
panied  by  the  timbrel  or  tambourine,  cymbals,  and  drums. 
They  entered,  with  torches  still  burning,  and  a  priest  ad 
vanced  to  meet  them,  reading  a  portion  of  the  Church  ser 
vice,  for  which  they  paused  every  moment  or  two  ;  and  a 
"wedding  garment"  was  thrown  over  the  bridegroom,  and 
his  "  friend,"  or  groomsman.  The  bride  was  gaily  dressed 
in  rainbow  lines,  supported  on  either  side  by  a  woman  veiled 
in  white.  When  they  reached  the  altar,  the  reading  ceased, 
and  the  bridegroom  and  bride  were  placed  facing  each 
other,  with  their  heads  so  bent  as  to  touch.  As  the  bride 
was  only  twelve  years  of  age,  while  the  bridegroom  was  a 
tall  man  of  perhaps  twenty-five  or  thirty,  her  stature  did 
not  reach  the  requisite  height,  and  a  light  wooden  horn  had 
been  previously  bound  to  her  head  beneath  gay  kerchiefs, 
and  the  spangled,  rose-colored  veil  that  concealed  her  face 


DIARBEKIR.  521 


and  enveloped  her  person :  (These  horns  were  once  com 
monly  worn  by  the  women  of  Diarbekir;  they  told  me 
that  when  first  discarded,  they  "  felt  lost ;"  for  they  had  been 
"  accustomed  to  wear  them  day  and  night :" — And  I  remem 
ber  that  many  of  the  Jewesses  of  Constantinople  were  actu 
ally  made  ill  by  the  imperial  edict  forbidding  them  to  wear 
the  high  head  -  dresses  to  which  they  had  always  been 
accustomed.)  A  large  silver  cross  was  laid,  by  the  grooms 
man,  upon  the  bent  heads,  the  priest  reading  away  at  rail 
road  speed  :  A  little  more  of  rapid  reading  and  knocking  of 
heads  together,  and  the  "  knot  "  was  literally  tied,  with  a  ker 
chief  wound  round  each  head ;  a  garland  of  flowers  completed 
the  "  crowning."  After  the  ceremony  was  ended,  the  party  left 
as  slowly  as  they  had  entered,  stopping,  as  before,  while  the 
priest  read.  The  other  procession,  meanwhile,  was  entering 
by  another  door.  Two  women  in  costly  attire,  and  adorned 
with  many  jewels,  re-arranged  the  gay  trappings  of  the 
bride  in  the  porch,  while  the  bridegroom  and  groomsman 
were  invested  with  the  richly-embroidered  robes  belonging 
to  the  church.  These  wedding  garments  varied  in  splendor, 
with  the  rank  and  ability  of  the  wearer  to  pay  for  their 
use ;  and  this  party  evidently  belonged  to  the  wealthy  aris 
tocracy  of  the  town.  The  bridegroom  was  a  handsome, 
haughty,  young  Armenian,  quite  Frank-like  in  appearance  ; 
he  slyly  jested  with  his  "  friend,"  and  with  manifest  reluc 
tance,  bent  the  knee  to  have  the  mantle  thrown  over  his 
shoulders.  The  bride  was  said  to  be  a  pretty  girl  of  thir 
teen  years,  but  her  face  was  not  visible,  and  her  husband 
would  probably  see  it  for  the  first  time  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  marriage  festivities.  Sadie  whispered  to  me  while  we 
were  watching  their  movements,  that  her  mother  was  mar- 


522  THE    ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 

ried  at  nine  years  of  age,  and  for  two  years  her  husband 
did  not  see  her  unveiled  ! 

There  are  some  sad  disappointments  on  both  sides  attend 
ant  upon  many  of  these  Eastern  weddings,  very  like  Jacob's 
experience  in  Padan-aram,  when  weak-eyed  Leah  was  sub 
stituted  for  the  beloved  Rachael.  One  of  the  Harpoot 
preachers  who,  we  suppose,  had  no  interested  friends  to 
look  out  for  him,  was  married,  in  early  life,  to  a  woman  who 
was  totally  blind  !  .  .  .  .  Years  ago  there  was  a  wedding  on 
these  shores  of  the  Tigris,  of  a  child-bride,  and  a  man  of 
mature  years: — After  all  the  customary  ceremonies,  the 
torch-light  procession,  proceeding  from  street  to  street, — 
with  discordant  music  that  made  both  day  and  night  "  hid 
eous," — and  feastings  and  dancings  lasting  for  a  week,  the 
men  and  women  in  separate  apartments, — the  bride  was 
conveyed  to  the  house  of  her  husband.  When  they  were 
left  alone,  the  veil  was  lifted,  and  very  probably  he  did  not 
like  her  looks;  for  he  proceeded  to  mutter  a  form  of  prayer, 
crossing  himself  according  to  the  faith  of  his  fathers,  when, 
looking  over  to  the  corner  where  his  young  wife  sat,  he 
fancied  that  he  saw  a  derisive  smile  upon  her  face,  and  strid 
ing  to  her  side,  with  one  heavy  blow,  laid  her  senseless  upon 
the  floor.* 

That  was  the  key-note  of  their  married  life ;  a  life  of  un- 


*  I  was  telling  this  story  in  Colorado,  when  one  of  those  progress 
ive  Western  women  forgot  herself,  and  half  rising  from  her  seat  (in 
the  crowded  church),  with  uplifted  arm,  exclaimed,  "  I\l  a  levelled 
hi  in!"  It  was  a  striking  proof  of  the  difference  between  the  Oriental 
and  Occidental  (or  rather  accidental)  woman  :  The  one  hopelessly 
bending  her  neck  to  the  yoke  of  bondage  ;  the  other  rising  up  in  all 
the  indignation  of  outraged  womanhood,  and  cither  boldly  retaliating, 
or  seeking  redress  from  the  laws  of  her  Ijnd. 


DIAUBEKIR.  523 


utterable  misery,  without  one  drop  of  sweetness  to  soften  the 
bitterness  of  a  slavery  from  which  there  was  no  escape.  For 
twenty  long  years  that  wife  drank  to  the  dregs  her  cup  of 
gall  and  misery!  And  then,  the  "grace  of  God  which 
bringeth  salvation,"  touched  the  savage  soul  of  her  husband, 
and  the  lion  became  a  lamb-  She  was  amazed,  and  could 
not  believe  it  real ;  but  testing  him  little  by  little,  and  find 
ing  that  he  did  not  retaliate,  she  at  last  completely  "  turned 
the  tables,"  and  became  his  unrelenting  tormentor ;  he  bore 
it  meekly,  proving  the  change  to  be  genuine ;  but  finally 
went  to  the  missionary,  and  said,  "  Intercede  for  me  with 
my  wife ;  and  if  she  will  not  come  with  me  in  this  good  way, 
beg  her  to  let  me  alone,  for  my  life  is  unendurable."  Mr. 
Walker  talked  with  her,  and  to  his  kind  remonstrance  she 
replied,  "  Yes,  I  know  ;  it  is  all  good,  and  I  mean  to  be  a 
Christian  myself,  by-and-by  ;  but  first  let  him  have  a  good  taste 
of  all  that  I  have  suffered  these  twenty  years  /" 

Ah !  it  is  in  lands  of  pagan  darkness, — unrelieved  by 
one  ray  of  light  emanating  from  Him  who,  when  "  born  of 
a  woman,"  forever  lifted  the  curse  pronounced  upon  the 
daughters  of  Eve, — where  woman's  lot  is  one  of  untold  deg 
radation  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave,  alike  despised  and 
crushed  by  husband  and  sons,  that  she  may  well  cry  out, 
with  an  exceeding  great  and  bitter  cry,  for  her  God-given 
"  RIGHTS  !"  It  is  considered  a  shame  for  an  Eastern  woman 
to  say  "my  husband;"  she  speaks  of  him  as  "companion," 
"  brother,"  "  friend,"  or  the  "  father  of  her  child."  And  the 
husband  avoids  with  equal  care  all  mention  of  his  "wife;" 
speaking  of  or  writing  to  her  when  absent  as  his  "  sister,"  or 
the  "  mother  of  his  son  "  (even  if  he  has  none)  !  The  word 
love  requires  a  Christian  baptism  to  be  understood  by  this 


524  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


people  in  its  highest  sense  !  Ah  !  we  never  comprehended, 
as  now,  the  necessity  for  that  amazing  God-manifestation 
"  in  the  flesh," — LOVE  INCARNATE, — to  teach  by  a  Living 
Lesson  this  truth !  And  the  more  we  see  and  hear  (from 
former  pupils  and  others  long  resident  in  the  East)  of  the 
real  family  life  of  Orientals,  the  less  are  we  surprised  at  the 
aspect  of  things  in  general  throughout  the  country.  In  de 
grading  woman,  the  axe  was  applied  to  the  very  root  of  the 
tree !  The  mothers  of  every  land  stand  at  the  fountain- 
head  of  influence  ;  and  if  they  are  degraded,  woe  to  the 
sons  !  When  the  lost  individuality  of  woman  is  recognized, 
and  she  is  freed  from  the  "pure  despotism  of  sex,"  and  not 
till  then,  will  the  East  be  regenerated  ! 

Society,  sunk  for  ages  into  a  moral  sleep,  has  become 
paralyzed,  embalmed,  a  mummy  !  The  mothers,  dwarfed  in 
their  mental  capacities,  with  no  power  of  self-assertion,  and 
no  stimulus  to  hope,  are  mostly  "beasts  of  burden,"  or  mere 
playthings,  to  be  tossed  aside  at  pleasure  for  some  new  toy. 
"  There  is  no  class  of  beings  on  the  face  of  the  earth  that 
can  be  subjected  to  such  a  process  for  a  series  of  centuries, 
and  not  suffer  enormous  damage."  "  Don't  talk  to  me  about 
a  soul,"  said  a  Turkish  woman  in  Constantinople ;  "  I  have 
no  more  soul  than  that  wall  !"  giving  emphasis  to  her 
words  by  a  heavy  stroke:  And  Jewish  women  often  say 
the  same,  for  they  are  not  much  higher  in  the  scale  of  civili 
zation ;  like  Moslem  women,  they  are  taught  that  there  is 
no  future  for  them ;  except  in  some  rare  cases,  where  a  wife, 
by  implicit  obedience  to  her  "  lord  and  master,"  and  cling 
ing  to  his  skirts,  may  hope  to  enter  Paradise ! 


DIARBEKIR.  525 


LIFE  IN  THE  HAREM  OF  THE   TURK. 

The  inmates  of  some  of  the  Turkish  harems  in  the  palaces 
at  the  Capital,  who,  between  the  bars  of  their  gilded  cages, 
catch  glimpses  of  the  gay,  roving  life  of  the  outside  world, 
pine  for  the  freedom,  if  not  the  culture  and  honor,  enjoyed 
by  their  sister-women  of  Christian  lands. 

Even  in  the  royal  palace  of  Beauty  on  the  Bosphorus, 
there  is  a  prison  with  gloomy,  iron  gratings,  and  stern 
bolts  and  bars  for  the  confinement,  no  doubt,  of  the  rebel 
lious  fair  ones ;  (this  I  saw  when  inspecting  the  Serai  just 
before  its  occupation)  and  the  latticed  windows,  and  closely- 
guarded,  high-walled  gardens  more  truly  confine  the  hapless 
/wuris,  than  the  Abyssinian  slaves,  or  the  sable  eunuchs  who 
so  cruelly  and  vindictively  lord  it  over  them  !*  The  harem 
of  the  Padishah  is  limited  (by  the  government)  to  three  hun 
dred  secondary  wives,  with  a  new  Georgian  beauty  presented 
by  the  Pashas  every  year:  So  that  the  Grand  Seignior 
has  the  luxury  of  a  fresh  wedding,  with  general  re- 


*  By  a  fortunate  accident,  I  once  had  a  view  of  two  or  three  ladies 
of  the  royal  harem,  with  their  children.  It  was  in  the  "Valley  of 
Sweet  Waters,"  on  a  day  when  that  charming  retreat  was  closed  to  the 
public  ;  and,  ignorant  of  the  fact,  we  had  scarcely  passed  through  the 
open  gateway,  and  seated  ourselves  beneath  the  shadow  of  the  Sul 
tan's  Kiosk,  when  a  dusky  officer  entered,  and  brandishing  his  sword, 
fiercely  bade  us  depart :  (There  were  three  ladies  only,  and  no  gentle 
men  in  the  party,) — but  through  the  skillful  maneuvering  of  an  elderly 
lady  long  connected  with  the  American  embassy,  who  perfectly  under 
stood  the  art  of  diplomacy  in  dealing  with  Turkish  authorities,  we 
were  still  within  the  enclosure  when  the  "golden  carriages  "  rolled  in, 
like  so  many  "  chariots  of  the  sun  :"  And  since,  when  a. thing  is  done, 
the  fact  is  accepted  as  fate  by  the  Turks,  our  presence  was  wholly  ig 
nored,  and  we  had  a  remarkably  good  opportunity  for  seeing  what 
few  infidel  eyes  ever  lock  upcn  !  The  ladies  alighted,  and  passed 


526  THE    ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 

joicings  and  festivities,  whenever  the  month  of  May 
comes  round !  But  like  the  monarch  of  old,  whose 
regal  state  he  has  feebly  imitated  in  the  number  of 
his  wives,  he  very  likely  says,  "  One  man  among  a  thou 
sand  have  I  found,  but — counting  one  by  one — a  ivomau  (true 
and  virtuous)  among  all  those  have  I  not  found!"  Poor 
Solomon  !  There  must  have  been  stormy  times  in  his  harem 
when  he  built  that  beautiful  "  house  in  the  forest  "  for  the 
daughter  of  Pharaoh,  and  set  all  the  rest  to  clamoring  (with 
hearts  full  of  envy  and  jealousy)  for  like  favors  !  Any  one 
who  has  ever  heard  the  tongues  of  Turkish  women  in  fierce, 
childish,  unreasoning,  bitter,  boisterous,  and  long-continued 
dispute, — the  screams,  and  yells,  and  curses,  accompanied  by 
beatings  of  the  breast,  tearing  the  hair,  and  sudden  flying 
and  flinging  at  the  enemy,  clawing,  and  scratching,  and  spit 
ting  like  so  many  furies, — can  fully  appreciate  his  sharp,  sar 
castic  allusions  to  "angry,"  "contentious,"  "brawling" 
women  ! 

Each  of  the  four  wives  of  the  Sultan  has  her  own  separ- 


into  the  royal  pavilion  at  the  edge  of  the  stream,  where  its  clear  wa 
ters  musically  plashed  over  a  white  marble  dnm,  beneath  overhanging 
willows.  Trays  of  precious  metals,  loaded  with  tempting  fruits,  and 
viands,  were  borne  by  numerous  attendants,  disappearing  behind  the 
heavy  curtains  which  hid  them  from  our  view;  while  others  made"  kef" 
without,  and  officers  on  guard  paced  back  and  forth  :  But  we  had 
caught  sight  of  those  far-famed  Caucasian  beauties  ;— round,  full  fig 
ures  of  medium  height,  robed  in  gossamer  like  tissues, interwoven  with 
threads  of  gold  or  silver,  shimmering  in  the  sunlight, — as  the  delicate 
mantles  of  rose,  dove-color,  or  salmon  were  blown  aside  by  a  gentle 
brcc/c.  And  through  the  gauzy  yashmac,  the  waxen,  doll-like,  almost 
colorless  faces,  with  the  large,  melting  eyes  of  the  gazelle,  and  hair 
of  the  same  dark  hue.  The  children  presented  much  the  same 
appearance;  fine  features  a  remarkably  fair  complexion,  but  without 
animation,  expression,  or  soul  ! 


DIARBEKIR. 


ate  establishment,  either  in  the  same  palace,  or  in  others  of 
the  many  belonging  to  his  Serene  Highness  :  Of  these  four, 
the  favorite  is  the  Sultana,  her  children  being  in  the  royal 
line,  though  the  succession  is  not  direct,  but  reverts  to  the 
brothers  of  the  reigning  sovereign,  or  his  brothers'  (or  sis 
ters')  children,  if  there  are  no  brothers  living.  This  singular 
and  immutable  law  of  succession  was  the  occasion,  in  former 
years,  of  a  Herod-like  slaughter  of  the  "  Innocents,"  by  the 
Sultans  who  preferred  to  have  their  own  sons  ascend  the 
throne  after  their  decease.  It  is  well  known  in  Constanti 
nople,  that,  when  the  daughter  of  Sultan  Mahmoud  had  given 
birth  to  a  beautiful  boy,  it  was  soon  taken  from  her,  and  she 
never  saw  it  again.  When  convinced  of  its  fate,  reason 
gave  way,  and  she  became  a  hopeless  maniac  ! — The  present 
Sultan — Abdul  Assiz — on  ascending  the  throne,  had  a  son 
four  years  of  age,  whose  existence  had  been  carefully  con 
cealed.  But  the  son  of  his  brother — Abdul  Mjid,  the  former 
Sultan — is  the  presumptive  heir  to  the  throne. 

In  a  country  like  this,  everything  is  not  dragged  to  the 
surface,  as  in  more  civilized  lands ;  and  there  are  deadly  se 
crets  hidden  in  many  a  heart,  and  concealed  in  many  a 
household  !  Where  a  speedy  burial  follows  a  sudden  death, 
and  no  post-mortem  examination  is  made,  or  coroner's  in 
quest  held,  a  cup  of  poison,  secretly  administered,  accom 
plishes  its  fatal  work ;  and  the  husband,  or  wife,  loudly 
bewails  (in  public)  the  deed  which  his  or  her  own  hand  has 
coolly  wrought,  unseen  by  any  human  eye  !  This  is  more  or 
less  true  of  all  classes  and  nationalities  throughout  the 
empire ;  but  the  standard  of  morality  is  vastly  higher  among 
the  Armenians,  and  other  nominal  Christians  of  the  East  who 
accept  the  Bible  (even  though  its  light  is  hidden),  than  among 


528  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


those  whose  antecedents  are  purely  Mohammedan  or  Pagan. 
Among  the  Turks  especially,  the  first  chapter  of  Romans 
is  just  as  applicable  as  when  penned  by  the  inspired  Apostle. 
Of  the  blessings  hidden  under  the  so-called  "  curse  "  of  en 
forced  labor,  they  as  a  people  are  a  living  testimony  :  Long 
centuries  of  sloth  and  sensual  indulgence  have  eaten  out, 
like  a  canker,  the  national  life  of  a  race  which  was  once, 
in  its  aggressive  power,  a  terror  to  the  world  !  And  the 
stereotyping  process  which  has  been  going  on  for  many 
generations,  has  robbed  them  of  all  that  constitutes  the  glory 
of  manhood  !  As  a  nation  they  are  slowly  becoming  extinct, 
from  their  vices  ;  the  number  of  births  decreasing  with  every 
year,  while  among  the  so-called  Christian  population,  there 

is  a  steady  increase "  Unto  the  pure  all  things  are 

pure;  but  unto  them  that  are  defiled  and  unbelieving,  is 
nothing  pure;  but  even  their  mind  and  conscience  is 
defiled,"  wrote  Paul  to  Titus.  Some  of  the  evil  surmisings 
of  Moslems  respecting  Frank  residents,  and  even  of  the 
most  pure-minded  and  godly  of  Christ's  servants,  who  dwell 
among  them,  are  too  loathsome  to  have  a  place  in  one's 
thoughts. 

And  who  can  describe  the  wretchedness  and  wrong,  the 
untold  degradation  and  corruption  hidden  in  the. harems  of 
the  Osmanlis  of  Turkey!  Denied  all  intellectual  culture, 
all  improving  intercourse  with  the  outer  world,  shut  in  com 
pletely  to  themselves,  the  prey  of  jealousy,  envy,  and  every 
evil  passion,  given  over  to  pleasures  which  merely  minister 
to  the  senses — perhaps  the  petted  plaything  of  a  brief  period, 
to  be  soon  displaced  by  some  new  favorite, — and  cruelly 
crushed  in  all  her  higher  instincts  and  intuitions, — what 
wonder  that  the  Moslem  mother  mourns  when  a  daughter  is 


DIARBEKIR.  529 


born  to  her,  as  she  traces  its  future  in  the  light  of  her  own 
past  and  present  ignominy!  For  these  are  the  inevitable 
evils  of  a  system  so  inwrought  in  the  very  woof  and  warp 
of  Moslem  social  life :  And  in  the  deep  of  Heathen  and 
Mohammedan  abominations,  there  is  a  "  lower  deep  "  where 
the  women  of  that  race  are  found  !  Some  years  ago,  an  Eng 
lish  lady  was  sent  out  by  a  missionary  society  in  London,  to 
insinuate  herself  for  Christian  work  among  the  harems — 
zenanas — of  Stamboul.  But  when  she  had  acquired  the 
language  sufficiently  to  understand  their  conversation,  and 
sound  the  depths  of  their  degradation,  her  soul  recoiled 
with  instinctive  horror  from  the  contamination  of  daily 
intercourse ;  and  after  a  brief  period  of  unavailing  effort,  the 
enterprise  was  abandoned.  The  baneful  example  and  abom 
inable  practices  of  the  dominant  race,  have  extended  their 
corrupting  influence  to  nationalities  among  whom  polygamy 
is  unknown — polluting  the  very  fountain  of  family  and 
social  life.  There  doubtless  are  some  exceptions  among  all 
classes,  but  this  is  the  general  aspect  of  woman's  condition 
in  the  land  of  the  Turk. 

A  horrible  tragedy  occurred  not  far  from  Harpoot  the 
last  Summer.  In  one  of  the  country  "  lodges,"  standing  by 
itself  among  the  gardens,  a  young  wife,  who  chanced  to  be 
alone,  was  caring  for  her  babe,  and  preparing  her  evening 
meal,  when  one  of  those  roving,  filthy  dervishes,  esteemed  as 
"  holy,"  and  "  sacred  "  by  the  Turks,  entered  the  open  door, 
and  bade  her  cook  his  dinner :  Though  her  husband  was 
away,  on  business,  and  might  not  return  for  some  hours,  she 
dared  not  disobey  one  whose  word  was  law  among  the  Mos 
lems.  But  as  s"he  passed  in  and  out  of  the  store-room,  his 
looks  inspired  her  with  terror,  and  at  last,  overcome  by  the 


330  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

feeling  which  she  could  not  resist,  while  pretending  to  be 
engaged  in  chopping  meat,  she  was  in  reality  dragging  sev 
eral  heavy  earthen  vessels  filled  with  provisions,  against  the 
door.  Fear  gave  her  unwonted  strength  and  celerity  ;  and 
when  the  wicked  dervish  finally  divined  her  movements,  and 
tried  to  enter,  the  door  was  so  securely  barricaded  that  he 
could  not  force  it  open.  After  uttering  many  unheeded 
commands  and  curses,  he  threatened  to  kill  her  child. 

The  only  window  to  that  inner  room  was  a  hole  in 
the  heavy  mud  wall ;  and  at  last  the  fiend  cut  off  the 
infant's  head,  and  cast  it  in  at  the  mother's  feet !  He  then 
tried  to  push  himself  through  ;  but  became  so  firmly  wedged 
that  he  cculd  not  move.  The  woman,  in  her  desperation, 
took  the  sharp  meat-knife,  and  severed  his  head  from  his 
body !  She  then  sank  insensible  upon  the  ground.  An 
hour  or  two  after,  the  husband  came  home,  and  found  a  ter 
rible  scene  of  blood  and  horror.  Calling  in  the  aid  of  his 
nearest  neighbors,  he  succeeded  in  effecting  an  entrance  to 
the  store-room,  but  his  wife  was  still  unconscious.  A  few 
days  later,  the  case  came  before  the  Turkish  court  at  Har- 
poot ;  and  although  the  testimony  of  a  woman  has  little 
weight  in  a  country  where  the  law  esteems  her  only  equiva 
lent  to  "  half  a  man,"  as  there  were  no  other  witnesses,  the 
wife  was  allowed  to  testify,  and  a  sum  of  money  was  awarded 

the  couple  for  all  that  they  had  suffered (O  women 

of  Christian  countries  !  What  do  you  not  owe  to  the  GOSPEL 
for  the  high  honor  accorded  you,  and  the  place  which  you 
occupy  ! — You  who  reign  so  royally  in  the  hearts  of  hus 
bands  and  fathers,  sons  and  brothers, — around  whom  cluster 
the  thousand  nameless  joys,  the  dear  delights,  sweet  chari 
ties,  courtesies,  and  sacred  association.;  of  home,  where  the 


DIARBEKIR.  531 


crowning  gift  of  motherhood  has  glorified  woman  since  its 
bestowal  upon  Mary, — the  mother  of  the  holy  child  Jesus ! 

Alas,  for  those  who  have  fallen  from  their  high  estate,  and 
clamor  for  the  prerogatives  of  man,  when  as  yet  their  ac 
knowledged  "  rights  "  and  glorious  privileges,  are  all  unful 
filled,  or  but  half  appreciated  ! 

The  MOTHERS  FASHION  the  MEN  !  and  woe  to  the  world 
when  they  are  incompetent  to  the  task,  and  their  work  fails 
in  the  day  of  trial !) 

CHRISTIANITY  AS  A   LEVER. 

It  is  delightful  to  turn  from  such  revolting  scenes,  to 
homes  where  He  who  is  "  THE  LIGHT  OF  THE  WORLD  "  has 
dispelled  the  night  of  gloom,  banished  the  reign  of  terror, 
and  brought  in  a  flood-tide  of  joy  and  peace,  which  en 
hances  every  pleasure,  and  sweetens  every  sorrow  with 
hopes  and  consolations  hitherto  unknown. 

We  spend  many  an  evening  in  social  converse  with  these 
Protestant  friends,  join  in  their  innocent  hilarity,  enter  into 
the  pleasant  and  profitable  games  taught  them  by  their  es 
teemed  pastor,  and  partake  of  the  simple  refreshments  pro 
vided  on  such  occasions.  Sometimes  a  little  harp,  or  cu 
rious  stringed  instrument  of  native  manufacture,  accompanies 
the  singing  of  the  old  battle-songs  with  which  their  Armenian 
forefathers  went  forth  to  war  with  the  Assyrians  (who  were 
the  natural  enemies  of  the  Armenian  race).  These  national 
airs, — which  I  hear  for  the  first  time, — are  invested  with  a 
peculiar  interest  and  charm ;  in  the  swell  of  the  chorus, 
and  the  stirring  staccato  of  the  refrain,  one  can  almost 
hear  the  firm,  quick  tramp,  tramp,  of  the  ranks  of  soldiers 
marching  on  to  conflict  with  a  dreaded  foe.  The  religious 


532  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


element  of  the  Armenian  character  appears  in  these  old  war- 
songs,  handed  down  "  by  the  mouth  of  the  fathers  "  from 
generation  to  generation.  These  evening  visits  are  always 
closed  with  singing  several  of  the  songs  of  Zion,  a  Scripture 
reading,  and  prayer,  according  to  the  injunction  of  the 
Psalmist — "  Let  the  children  of  Zion  be  joyful  in  their 
King."  Before  the  introduction  of  the  Gospel  in  its  purity, 
card-playing,  wine-drinking,  low  and  foolish  jesting,  and 
miserable  gossip  occupied  the  evenings  of  the  people.  Now 
that  they  have  something  better,  more  refined,  and  elevating, 
in  which  all  can  share,  not  a  trace  of  the  former  can  be  seen 
in  their  dwellings.  And  with  the  "  high  praises  of  God  in 
their  mouth,  and  a  two-edged  sword  (the  Bible)  in  their 
hand,"  their  pure  and  simple  life  of  godliness  is  already  a 
power  in  this  land,  which  even  their  enemies  cannot  gainsay. 
"  Who  are  these,"  they  say  of  the  Protestants,  "  who  do  not 
lie,  or  steal,  or  cheat?" 

There  was  a  town  in  the  Elarpoot  field  which  the  mission 
aries  had  long  tried  in  vain  to  enter.  It  was  rightly  named, 
Korpeh,  or  stony  place.  The  people  were  very  bigoted,  and 
fanatical,  and  drove  the  helper  away.  But  the  one  Protes 
tant  in  the  place,  after  sowing  his  fields  as  usual,  returned  to 
the  Turk  who  was  the  owner  of  the  soil,  the  seed-corn  that 
remained.  "  How  is  this?"  said  the  Agha.  "  You  have  had 
the  same  amount  every  year,  you  rascal,  and  you  never  re 
turned  any  before!"  "Because,"  replied  the  man,  "  I  am 
now  a  Protestant — a  *  Book-man  ' — and  my  conscience  won't 
let  me  keep  it  as  heretofore."  "  Well,"  said  the  Turk,  some 
what  mollified,  "would  that  all  the  Armenians  were  Protes 
tant!"  And  finding  that  a  house  could  not  be  obtained  for 
a  teacher,  he  f;-j:U  w.v;J  f.i.u  tiu  missionaries  were  to  have 


DIARBEKIR.  533 


all  the  houses  they  wanted ;  and  the  way  was  thus  opened  for 
the  commencement  of  a  good  work. 

The  ruinous  system  of  oppression  employed  by  the  Turk 
ish  authorities  has  repressed  every  incentive  to  exertion,  and 
stifled  in  its  birth  all  laudable  ambition  among  a  people  who 
are  struggling  to  throw  off  the  fetters  which  have  bound 
them  hand  and  foot  for  centuries.  "  Why  do  you  not  culti 
vate  a  better  quality  of  fruit?"  said  one  of  the  missionaries 
to  a  villager  whose  location  was  peculiarly  favorable  :  "It 
would  be  worse  for  me  if  I  did,"  answered  the  man.  "  Now, 
I  can  scrape  together  good,  bad,  indifferent,  whatever  there  is, 
and  get  the  market-price ;  but  suppose  I  carried  choicer  fruit 
than  my  neighbors  ;  the  servants  of  some  great  Turk  would 
either  pay  me  half  price,  or  it  would  be  seized  for  the 
Pasha,  and  I  should  get  nothing  for  my  pains  !"  This  sys 
tem  of  universal  fraud  and  force  cuts  the  sinews  of  hope, 
and  represses  all  noble  emulation  and  enterprise  throughout 
the  country. 

Some  Frenchmen  started,  a  few  years  ago,  a  manufactory 
for  liquorice,  from  the  root  which  grows  abundantly  in 
Northern  Syria;  the  revenue  which  it  brought  the  Turkish 
government,  and  the  honest,  remunerative  employment  fur 
nished  to  hundreds  of  poor  peasants,  besides  the  redemption 
of  a  large  tract  of  otherwise  unproductive  soil,  made  the 
enterprise  a  very  profitable  one  to  the  authorities.  But  Turkish 
jealousy  took  the  alarm,  and  caused  the  establishment  to  be 
broken  up,  in  the  height  of  its  prosperity ! 

The  public  roads,  the  mines,  and  every  department  of 
trade,  agriculture,  and  legislation,  throughout  the  land,  bear 
unmistakable  testimony  to  the  tyrannical  spirit  which  makes 
the  weaker  the  tool  and  slave  of  the  stronger.  /l3ut  a  new 


534  TIIE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


day  is  dawning  upon  the  rayahs  of  the  Turkish  Empire  ! 
Christian  governments  have  stepped  in  and  dictated  terms  to 
the  decaying  Moslem  power,  and  the  yoke  of  bondage  is  grow 
ing  lighter  year  by  year;  and  the  "gospel  of  hoes,  and 
ploughs,  of  axes,  and  adzes,  and  planes,  of  grist-mills  and  saw 
mills,  and  sewing-machines,  and  pianos,  or  reed  organs,"  is 
fast  following  in  the  train  of  the  Bible.  With  every  year, 
Protestant  families  are  showing  more  and  more  refinement, 
culture,  and  progress.  "  The  elevation  of  woman  is  one  of 
the  fixed  signs  of  a  rising  civilization,"  says  some  writer ;  and 
we  are  convinced  that  nothing  less  than  the  Gospel  of  Christ 
rtm  endow  her  with  that  true  dignity  and  worth  which  shall 
inspire  and  retain  that  respect  and  honor  which  is  her  due, 
and  thus  restore  the  family  to  its  legitimate  place  in  society. 
Education  and  Civilization  alone  are  powerless  to  effect  a 
radical  renovation  where  it  is  most  needed — at  the  very  roots 
of  society!  The  GOSPEL  is  the  only  Lever  which  can  lift  a 
nation  from  the  depths  of  social  degradation,  religious  su 
perstition,  and  political  corruption,  to  a  higher  plane  and  a 
nobler  standard  of  life.  As  in  the  legend  of  the  three  crosses,  it 
is  only  when  the  "  dead  body  touches  the  TRUE  CROSS  "  that  it 
springs  to  life  !  ....  Where  the  husband  is  the  "  pater 
familias,"  and  the  wife  the  "  materfamilias,"  one  in  heart  and 
aim,  the  children  are  being  trained  under  new  impulses  and  in 
fluences,  and  the  next  generation  will  show  another  type  of 
manhood  and  womanhood  which  shall  tell  powerfully  upon  the 
interests  of  the  country  which  gave  them  birth.  But  it  would 
be  folly  to  expect  from  the  Protestants  of  Turkey  that  perfec 
tion  which  even  Christian  communities  and  churches  in  the 
home-land  fail  to  exhibit.  For  the  present  generation,  at 
least,  a  most  careful  Christian  nurture  is  essential ;  for  they 


DIARBEKIR.  535 


will  naturally  be  subject  to  many  reactions  and  revulsions, 
till  firmly  rooted  and  grounded  in  the  faith  as  it  is  in  Christ. 
"  You  would  think  it  was  clean,  if  you  had  seen  all  that  came 
out  of  it  r  said  one  to  another,  who  complained  of  the  but 
ter  of  the  country :  And  that  is  really  the  true  way  of 
judging  those  who  are  just  emerging  from  the  bondage  of 
old  ideas,  customs,  prejudices,  and  superstitions. 

The  Armenians — of  whom  there  are  three  millions  in 
Turkey — have  been  styled  by  some  the  "  Anglo-Saxons  of 
the  East:"  Many  of  the  principal  merchants,  and  nearly 
all  the  great  bankers  of  the  government,  are  Armenians  ;  with 
more  activity  than  the  Turk,  and  more  conscience  than  the 
Greek,  and  a  general  reputation  for  enterprise,  they  certainly 
have  some  claim  to  the  title.  But  as  a  people,  they  lack  the 
stamina,  the  sturdy  self-reliance,  independence,  and  that 
honest  self-respect  which  would  rather  suffer  than  seek  for 
aid,  which  is  a  marked  characteristic  of  the  true  Anglo-Saxon. 
And  yet  their  national  weaknesses  appear  to  be  pride,  am 
bition,  and  conceit 

Those  who  have,  to  some  extent,  shaken  off  the  old 
shackles,  are  impatient  of  the  least  restraint,  or  impediment 
in  the  way  of  progress ;  and  very  sensitive  to  any  implied 
inferiority  of  race  :  They  dislike  to  be  termed  "  natives," 
and  resent  with  indignation  being  classed  with  the  "  heathen." 
And  all  this  is  really  implied  by  our  Christian  work  among 
them.  "  Are  all  the  people  in  your  country  Christians  ?"  asked 
a  tall,  stern-looking  Armenian  woman  who  appeared  in  the 
door-way,  as  I  was  once  reading  the  Testament  in  a  house 
to  which  I  had  been  invited  for  the  first  time :  "  No,  I  am 
sorry  to  say  that  they  are  not,"  I  replied.  "  Well  then,  go 
back  and  teach  your  own  people!"  she  rejoined.  "We  are 


536  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

not  heathen  j  we  believe  in  Christ!"  and  with  that  she 
quickly  disappeared,  leaving  the  family  to  apologize,  with 
Oriental  politeness,  for  the  rudeness  of  their  neighbor. 

Yet  it  is  remarkable  that  a  people  who  have  been  sub 
jected  for  a  series  of  generations  to  a  fossilizing,  stultifying 
process,  should  have  retained  so  much  of  native  vigor.  The 
entire  drift  of  their  training  hitherto,  has  been  in  the  direc 
tion  of  servility  to  superiors,  and  contempt  for  inferiors. 
But  there  are  latent  elements  in  the  Armenian  character  to 
be  developed,  and  brought  into  vigorous  action  ;  and  they 
bid  fair  to  become  the  Evangelistic  Medium  among  the 
Moslems  of  the  empire. 

Missionaries  are  prohibited  from  working  directly  among 
the  Mohammedans — for  the  government  will  not  allow  any 
thing  like  proselytizing  :  And  although  the  "  death  penalty  " 
has  been  revoked,  it  is  well  known  at  the  Capital,  that  any 
Turk  who  changes  his  religion  will  be  quietly  put  out  of  the 
way  ; — thrown  into  the  "  mad-house,"  or  prison,  on  some  false 
pretext,  to  meet  his  fate,  or  into  the  army,  to  end  his  days  in 
some  distant  province.  But  the  Gospel  leaven  is  infused 
more  widely  among  the  Moslems  than  most  people  suppose ; 
and  every  now  and  then  some  sudden  and  secret  revelation 
shows  that  it  is  working  in  the  darkness  of  night.  A  Prot 
estant  Armenian  one  day  visited  a  Turkish  officer  of  some 
rank  in  an  interior  town.  As  he  entered  the  room,  he 
caught  a  glimpse  of  something  hastily  concealed  beneath 
the  cushion  upon  which  he  was  sitting.  Seeing  who  the 
visitor  was,  the  Effendi  at  once  drew  out  the  book,  and  con 
fessed  his  fear  of  being  seen  by  one  of  his  own  people,  reading 
the  New  Testament.  As  early  as  1856,  one  hundred  copies 
of  the  Bible  (or  parts  of  it)  were  sold  every  month  to  Mo- 


DIARBEKIR.  537 


hammedans,  by  a  colporteur  stationed  upon  the  Great 
Bridge  at  Constantinople.  And  the  sale  of  Scriptures  in 
Turkish  has  increased  among  them  year  by  year.* 

The  simplicity  and  purity  of  Christian  worship  among  the 
Protestants,  is  particularly  pleasing  to  Mohammedans,  who 
are  Unitarians  of  the  strictest  sect,  and  to  whom  the  picture 
and  saint  worship  of  the  Eastern  churches  is  utterly  abhorrent. 

The  doctrine  of  transubstantiation  (held  by  all  the  nominal 
Christian  sects)  especially  rouses  their  indignation  and  disgust. 
When  one  refers  to  the  absurdities  of  the  Koran,  they  scorn 
fully  reply,  "  Who  are  they  that  take  flour  and  water  and  make 
wafers  of  them  ?  who  dip  these  wafers  in  wine  and  put  them 
to  the  mouths  of  the  people,  bidding  them  bow  down  and  wor 
ship  them  as  the  body  and  blood  of  their  God  ?"  But  diver 
sities  of  denominations  or  "  sects  "  among  those  who  bear  the 
Christian  name,  is  far  less  a  stumbling-block  to  the  Turks  than 
the  lack  of  purity  in  the  representative  type.  The  commonly 
received  idea  of  unity  among  the  followers  of  the  false  prophet 
is  a  fiction.  There  are  seventy-two  distinct  sects  among  those 
who  call  themselves  Moslems,  or  "  the  people  of  Islam  "  (which 
means  "  full  submission  to  God,"  and  is  accepted  as  their 
creed),  and  there  is  a  bitter  religious  animosity  among  many 
of  them.  The  Persians  and  the  Osmanlis  regard  each  other 
as  infidels,  because  the  former  hold  to  the  pure  Koran,  and  the 
latter  accept  also  the  traditions  connected  with  it — much  as  do 
the  Jews,  the  Talmud.  And  it  is  worthy  of  note,  in  this  con- 


*  Within  the  last  year  or  two,  the  sale  amounted  to  one  thousand 
copies  per  month,  till  Moslem  fanaticism  was  roused,  and  the  Gov 
ernment  interposed.  But  speedy  interference  by  Christian  powers 
removed  the  restriction,  and  the  Word  of  God  has  now  "free  course" 
— "under  the  seal  of  the  Government  "—to  accomolish  its  work, 
23" 


538  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


nectlon,  that  the  youthful  stepmother  of  Mahomet  was  a 
Jewess,  and  indoctrinated  him  in  the  belief  of  her  people 
when  he  was  but  a  lad  of  fifteen  years.  This  accounts  for  all 
that  is  good  in  the  Koran,  and  for  the  observance  of  so  many 
old  Jewish  rites — circumcision,  the  yearly  sacrifice  of  a  lamb, 
etc.,  still  observed  by  his  followers. 

"  We  like  this,"  the  Moslems  say,  after  attending  a  Sunday- 
service  of  the  Protestants  ;  "  and  if  we  ever  change  our  religion 
we  will  take  yours." 

MISSIONARY  LIFE  BELOW  THE  SURFACE. 

We  had  planned  a  little  tour  through  the  ten  or  twelve  out- 
stations  of  the  Diarbekir  field  before  my  departure.  But  a 
severe  persecution  arising  in  one  of  those  places,  retires  the 
presence  of  the  "Badveli"  in  the  City,  to  represent  the  case 
and  obtain  redress  from  the  Pasha.  If  he  does  not  succeed, 
he  will  appeal  to  the  "  Sublime  Porte  "  through  the  agency  of 
the  missionaries  and  British  and  American  ambassadors  at 
Constantinople. 

Mr.  Walker  has  suffered  from  successive  attacks  of  fever 
and  ague  since  his  last  missionary  tour ;  when  he  and  Deacon 
Suliba  were  nearly  drowned  in  fording  a  swollen  river,  and 
were  refused  shelter  at  a  Koordish  village  which  they  reached, 
chilled  and  dripping,  after  nightfall,  finally  spending  a  wretched 
night  in  a  poor  hole  of  a  stable  to  which  they  forced  an  en 
trance.  But  his  brother-in-law  (Mr.  Williams)  has  noticed,  with 
pain,  that  he  whom  he  styled  "  the  strongest  and  most  mus 
cular  man  among  us,"  had  lost  much  of  his  physical  vigor  and 
power  of  endurance  since  his  visit  to  America.  "  They  worked 
him  almost  to  death,"  he  says,  with  an  ominous  shake  of  the 
Jiead  ;  "  traveling  incessantly,  often  sleeping  in  freezingly  cold 


DIARBEKIR.  539 


rooms  at  night,  eating  at  irregular  hours,  and  living  under  a 
constant  high-pressure  in  meeting  old  friends,  making  mission 
ary  addresses,  etc.,  without  once  having  the  tension  relaxed, 
and  then  coming  back  to  a  double  load  of  labor,  it  is  no  won 
der  that  even  his  iron  constitution  has  given  way."  And  he 
adds  :  "  I  never  saw  Brother  Walker  lying  on  the  sofa  in  the 
daytime  till  now ;  and  I  doubt  if  he  ever  recovers  from  the 
strain." 

But  the  good  brother  has  no  fears  for  himself;  he  greatly 
enjoyed  his  visit  (although  he  would  have  liked  a  few  weeks  of 
quiet  tarrying  with  his  own  brothers  and  sisters),  and  only 
mourns  that  he  reached  the  home  of  his  childhood  too  late  to 
receive  his  mother's  dying  blessing,  or  even  to  look  once  more 
upon  tli£  loved  face  ere  it  was  shut  away  in  the  silent  tomb. 

During  his  absence  and  that  of  Pastor  Tomas,  the  work  of 
the  Station  had  accumulated ;  and  on  his  return,  Mr.  Walker 
found  enough  to  fill  the  hearts  and  hands  of  half  a  dozen  men. 
He  must  be  not  only  missionary,  teacher,  and  preacher,  but 
pastor,  peace-maker,  legislator,  diplomat,  doctor,  banker,  book 
keeper,  general  Bible  and  Tract-agent,  Sunday-school  superin 
tendent,  itinerating  Evangelist,  and  Field-agent,  besides  acting 
in  the  capacity  of  an  architect  (in  chapel-building),  and  mechanic 
in  repairing  broken  furniture,  opening  boxes,  setting  up  stoves, 
putting  the  clock  or  sewing-machine  in  working  order,  and 
many  other  little  things  requiring  skill  and  ingenuity  in  the  use 
of  tools  for  the  wants  of  his  own  household,  to  whom,  in  times 
of  sickness,  he  must  also  be  nurse  as  well  as  physician  ! — Not 
only  embodying  in  one  man  a  variety  of  professions  and  trades, 
but  bearing  the  heavier  weight  of  cares  and  responsibilities  of 
which  they  are  but  the  outward  signs.  His  warm  heart,  ear 
nest,  Christ-like  spirit,  and  generous  soul  (which  meets  every- 


540  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

body  with  outstretched  hand,  beaming  face,  and  pleasant  words, 
however  hurried  or  worried  he  may  be)  have  caused  him  to  be 
greatly  beloved  by  all  the  people  ;  and  a  missionary  who  has 
thus  won  a  permanent  place  and  power  in  the  hearts  and 
homes  of  a  community,  is  worth  a  dozen  raw  recruits,  how 
ever  gifted  !  Such  COSTLY,  PREPARED  INSTRUMENTS  should,  if 
possible,  be  saved,  at  all  hazards,  to  the  cause  of  Christ !  It 
is  very  evident  that  the  burden  is  too  heavy  for  one  pair  of 
shoulders  ;  co-laborers  are  greatly  needed,  and,  if  congenial, 
and  of  one  heart  and  mind,  would  be  gladly  welcomed  by  this 
faithful  brother  and  sister. 

But  they  shrink  from  the  responsibility  of  selecting  associates 
that  have  not  been  tried  and  tested  in  the  field.  Foreign  mis 
sionary  life  throws  the  two,  or,  perchance,  three,  families  at 
one  Station  into  relations  of  the  closest  intimacy.  They  are 
shut  up  to  each  other,  and  every  trait  and  peculiarity  of  char 
acter  is  revealed  in  the  strongest  light.  Not  a  weakness  can 
be  hidden,  not  an  infirmity  disguised.  If  there  be  true  Chris 
tian  sympathy,  and  that  "  charity  which  is  the  bond  of  perfect- 
ness  " — oneness  of  aim,  and  harmony  of  views  in  the  methods 
of  working — the  relation  is  one  of  the  most  delightful  on  earth, 
and  the  tie  grows  stronger  and  dearer  with  every  year.  But 
if  personal  ambition  creeps  in,  selfishness,  in  its  myriad  forms, 
little  jealousies,  suspicions  (engendered  from  lack  of  faith), 
distrust  of  motives,  and  obstinate  self-will  in  matters  of  vital 
interest  to  the  work  —  where  personal  feeling  and  interests 
must  ever  give  way — the  very  closeness  of  the  bond,  and  the 
position  which  they  unitedly  sustain  to  the  people,  renders 
the  association  the  more  trying,  and  chafes  and  frets  the 
spirit  till  it  well-nigh  ruins  the  health  and  usefulness  of 
those  who  can  le:.st  be  spared,  and  who  are  too  noble  and 


DIARUEKIR.  541 


self-sacrificing  to  complain  of  that  which  is  really  breaking 
them  down. 

It  is  wonderful  that  such  cases  are  so  rare  on  missionary 
ground.  It  would  be  strange,  indeed,  if  there  were  none, 
when  every  Christian  is  "  compassed  about "  with  imperfec 
tions  ;  and  those  who  are  most  like  the  Master,  feel  the  most 
deeply  that  they,  and  all  their  works,  need  the  continual 
"  sprinkling  of  cleansing"  by  the  High  Priest,  who  is  "  touched 
with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities."  The  foreign  missionary 
has  peculiar  temptations  and  trials,  little  understood  or  appre 
ciated  by  those  whose  prayers  they  so  greatly  need. 

"  Satan  will  find  a  back  door  in  Constantinople,"  said  a 
good  pastor  at  home  to  the  young  disciple  who  had  expressed 
her  belief  that,  associated  with  such  pure  and  consecrated 
spirits  in  a  high  and  holy  calling,  she  should  certainly  grow  in 
grace.  Ah,  yes  !  And  how  often  does  he  come  in  at  the 
front  door,  disguised  as  an  "  angel  of  light  !" 

A  missionary,  if  he  be  a  man  of  any  gifts  and  graces,  is  a 
king  among  his  people.  And  the  natural  tendency  of  living 
among  a  rude  and  ignorant  race,  without  the  attrition  afforded 
by  contact  with  general  society,  forcing  a  constant  (though, 
perhaps,  unconscious)  comparison  with  gifted  and  cultured 
minds,  is  inevitably  in  the  direction  of  undue  self-assertion, 
and  an  assumption  of  superiority,  if  not  of  authority.  This 
reacts  unfavorably  upon  the  people,  who  are  quick  to  discern 
it,  and  who  feel  strongly  the  impalpable  barrier  which  is  thus 
raised  between  them.  (This  reaction  is  also  seen  among  "  na 
tive  helpers  "  when  lifted  above  the  average  of  their  people  ; 
and  it  causes  much  of  the  trouble  which  they  often  occasion 
the  missionaries.)  And  if  this  evil  is  not  realized,  one  who  is 
long  left  alone  amid  such  surroundings,  is  very  likely  to  become 


542  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


opinionated,  and  fixed  in  set  grooves  and  ruts  of  thinking  and 
working.  Hence  the  absolute  necessity  for  visiting  a  Christian 
land  at  intervals,  even  if  health  does  not  require  the  change 
(though,  many  good  people  may  think  it  a  great  waste  of  time 
and  money).  Some  large  sweet  natures  suffer  less  from  this 
isolation  and  exclusion  than  others  ;  for,  as  a  rule,  the  narrowest 
souls,  and  those  least  worthy  of 'honor,  assume  the  most !  ]>ut 
the  children  of  missionaries  are  the  greatest  sufferers  from  an 
evil  perhaps  little  feared  or  thought  of,  in  relations  so  peculiar 
and  abnormal.  Accustomed  from  their  birth  to  compare  them 
selves  with  those  around  them,  and  prohibited  from  freedom  of 
intercourse  with  the  children  of  the  country,  they  are  naturally 
aristocratic  in  their  feelings;  and  being,  from  their  peculiar 
position  and  surroundings,  precluded  the  practical  training 
which  should  fit  them  for  the  life  upon  which  they  enter  when 
sent  home  to  be  educated,  the  change  to  comparative  depend 
ence  and  inferiority  of  position  is  often  extremely  galling, 
especially  to  those  of  a  proud  and  sensitive  nature.  And  just 
here  comes  in  the  sharpest  personal  trial  known  to  the  foreign 
missionary — in  which  lie  most  needs  the  prayers  and  sympathies 
of  God's  people.  His  children  are  scarcely  citizens  of  any  " 
land.  They  must,  perforce,  share  in  the  inevitable  conse 
quences  of  the  life  and  calling  chosen  by  the  parents  ; — the 
loss  of  a  permanent  home,  and  of  support  from  the  parental 
purse  during  some  of  the  most  important  and  trying  years  of 
life.  There  may,  or  may  not,  be  relatives  who  have  the  means 
and  the  heart  to  make  up,  in  part,  the  loss  which  nothing  but 
the  grace  of  God  can  repair.  The  general  supervision,  and 
the  small  grant  given  by  the  Missionary  Society  for  a  limited 
period,  in  no  sense  proves  a  substitute  for  what  they  have  lost. 
And  if  such  childicn  are  wanting  in  that  Christian  spirit  which 


DIARBEKIR.  543 


first  prompted  the  sacrifice  and  still  sustains  the  hearts  of 
the  parents, — their  case  is  indeed  very  sad,  and  calls  for  the 
special  consideration,  and  the  continual  watch  and  care  of  the 
Church  of  Christ. 

THE  NECESSITY  OF  CHANGE  AND  RECREATION  FOR 
THE  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY. 

"  After  these  things  were  ended,  Paul  purposed  in  the 
spirit  when  he  had  passed  through  Macedonia  and  Achaia, 
to  go  to  Jerusalem,  saying,  After  I  have  been  there,  I  must 
also  see  Rome."  April,  with  her  smiles  and  tears,  is  rapidly 
passing,  and  our  happy  months  of  communion  in  this  mis 
sionary  home  and  work,  are  drawing  to  a  close,  when  a 
special  messenger  makes  his  appearance,  sent  by  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Knapp,  of  Bitlis  (a  distant  station  to  the  north-east, 
near  Lake  Van),  with  an  urgent  request  that  I  "come  over 
and  help  "  them  in  a  new  and  interesting  work  just  opened 
among  the  women  of  that  city.  And  a  similar,  and  oft- 
repeated  invitation  comes  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parmelee,  of 
Erzroom,  who  are  alone  in  that  very  important  station  of 
the  northern  portion  of  the  Eastern  Turkey  Mission ;  while 
the  friends  at  Harpoot  are  becoming  impatient  for  my 
return,  and  this  beloved  brother  and  sister, — who  have  so 
generously  rejoiced  over  every  indication  of  success  in  my 
work  for  their  people, — are  planning  for  a  reunion,  and  a 
longer  tarrying,  another  year.  The  needs  of  the  work,  and 
the  wide  field  for  usefulness  opening  on  every  side  to  one 
who  is  free  from  family  cares,  makes  me  wish  that  I  could 
multiply  myself  a  hundred  fold  !  At  this  juncture,  a  letter 
is  received  from  the  Southern  Turkey  Mission,  with  a  press 
ing  invitation  to  visit  their  field.  And  Dr.  Pratt  kindly 


544  TIIE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


offers  to  meet  and  escort  me  half-way,  if  I  will  come  and  see 
the  home  in  which  he  and  his  good  wife  have  been  trying  to 
work  for  Christ,  since  we  first  sailed  together.  The  propo 
sition  is  very  tempting,  and  I  may  never  again  have  the 
opportunity.  It  would  be  delightful  to  survey  that  "  field 
which  the  Lord  hath  blessed,"  and  compare  notes  with 
those  dear  friends,  in  their  own  home.  A  life-long  joy  to 
visit  Ur  of  the  Chaldees, — the  birth-place  of  Abraham  ;  and 
Tarsus, — the  early  home  of  the  Apostle  Paul;  and  Antioch, 
where  the  "  disciples  were  first  called  Christians  " — all  with 
in  the  borders  of  that  Mission  ;  and  then,  perhaps,  go  on  to 
Egypt,  and  the  Holy  Land  ! — A  dream  of  my  life  yet  unreal 
ized.  A  letter  from  an  honored  English  friend,*  whom  I 
have  never  yet  seen,  but  whose  interest  has  been  awakened 
by  what  she  has  heard  of  our  work  for  Christ, — through  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Walker,  who,  when  in  London,  made  her  acquaint 
ance, — says  :  "  I  bear  that  you  are  needing  rest.  Let  me  beg 
you  not  to  delay  it  too  long.  It  is  really  wasting  the  Master's 
goods,  when  His  tools  are  all  attempered,  and  ready  for  use, 
to  dull  and  injure  them  by  using  them  too  long,  when  a  little 
rest  and  refreshment,  at  the  right  time,  would  not  only  cause 

them  to  work  longer,  but  bcllcr.     Is  it  not  so? And 

again,  remember  that  whenever  you  come  to  Old  England, 
there  is  a  home,  with  warm  hearts,  waiting  to  welcome  you." 
What  could  be  more  delightful  than  such  a  prospect  ?  The 
very  thought  causes  one's  heart  to  bound  with  pleasure  !  And 
since  my  expenses  are  not  met  by  the  funds  of  the  Socie.ty, 
I  am  in  a  certain  sense  independent,  and  free  to  allow  myself 
the  recreation  : — While  still  no  less  a  missionary  of  the  Amcri- 


Thc  author  of  the  "  SchOnberg-Cotta  Chronicles." 


DIARBEKIR.  545 


can  Board,  acting  under  its  wise  direction,  yet  cherishing  much 
the  feeling  of  a  daughter  whose  wants  are  supplied  by  the 
bounty  of  loving  parents  in  the  distant  home.  The  kind 
friend  who  statedly  and  privately  sends  my  supplies  (through 
her  banker  in  London),  also  advises  a  season  of  rest  and  re 
freshment ;  and  her  daughter  sends  an  invitation  (with  the 
necessary  funds)  for  a  visit  to  her  temporary  home  in  Heidel 
berg  on  the  Rhine.  But  "  Missionaries  must  not  travel  for 
pleasure  /"  was  the  maxim  that  always  fell  from  the  lips  of  our 
good  "  Father  Goodell,"  when,  during  those  busy  years  in 
Constantinople,  a  wish  escaped  for  a  season  of  travel  in  ad 
joining  countries,  to  change  the  current  of  thought  and 
associations.* 

The  school  at  Harpoot  has  opened,  and  duty  calls  me  to 
my  post.  It  is  the  voice  of  the  Master  :  "  ALL  FOR  JESUS," 
is  our  motto  and  watch-word ;  so  the  pleasant  prospect  is 
cheerfully  put  away,  and  the  armor  girded  on  afresh.  .  .  . 
A  "  picnic  "  with  the  Protestant  mothers  and  children,  in  a 
garden  by  the  river-side,  is  greatly  enjoyed  by  all ;  and,  at 


*  But  Dr.  Pratt,  whose  medical  opinion  was  subsequently  sought, 
gave  his  testimony  to  this  effect  (and  here,  as  elsewhere  in  these 
pages,  I  may  be  pardoned  for  personal  allusions  which  elucidate 
principles) :  "  JVo  one  that  breathes  has  a  better  right  than  you  to  trarcl 
f^r pleasure  !  If  you  had  taken  a  trip  to  Northern  Syria  or  elsewhere, 
as  I  strongly  advised,  when  we  first  met  at  Stamboul,  you  would 
undoubtedly  have  saved  that  break-down  which  sent  you  home  for  a 
year  or  so,  and  which  has  caused  a  loss  of  vitality  during  all  the  fol 
lowing  years.  Such  a  course  is  simply  suicidal.  If  God  had  not 
given  you  a  grand  constitution  to  begin  with,  you  would  have  been 
in  your  grave  long  before  this  !  " 

And  yet  that  most  admirable,  and  in  some  respects  almost  un- 
equaled  missionary,was  himself  in  the  same  position,  and  might  with 
great  propriety  have  heeded  the  injunction,  "  Physician,  heal  thyself  ! " 
For,  a  few  years  later,  he  fell  a  victim  to  over-work  and  the  too  con- 


546  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


our  last  Communion  season,  in  the  old  chapel,  which  is 
crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity,  so  that  strangers  who  come 
late  can  find  no  place, — we  hear  an  excellent  sermon  from 
Giragos — a  Harpoot  student; — who  has  lately  assisted  Mr. 
Walker.  He  is  a  Greek  Jacobite  by  birth  ;  and  his  native  lan 
guage  is  Arabic ;  but  he  preaches  in  Armenian,  on  the 
"  Unity  of  Christians,"  from  the  words,  "  THAT  THEY  ALL 

MAY  BE  ONE." 

And  we  have  the  great  joy  of  welcoming  several  new  sis 
ters  in  Christ,  to  the  table  of  our  Lord  ;  women  who  have 
given  evidence  of  a  true  work  of  grace  in  their  hearts  during 
the  last  Winter And  now  the  good-byes  are 


stant  nervous  tension  which  was  imposed  from  the  commencement 
of  his  career  by  his  situation  at  Aintab,  the  central  station  of  that 
great  field.  It  was  the  testimony  of  the  Secretaries  of  the  Board,  that 
they  had  never  sent  forth  a  man  who  was  more  thoroughly  prepared, 
both  as  a  medical  missionary  and  as  an  ordaineJ  minister  of  the  gospel. 
lie  was  a  preacher  of  more  than  ordinary  power,  speaking  the  Turk 
ish — as  was  once  said  of  Dr.  Schneider, — "like  an  angel."  And 
the  cares  and  labors  of  the  two  professions  combined,  in  such  a  country, 
with  such  a  people,  and  in  such  a  tongue,  came  upon  his  great 
heart,  and  conscientious  soul,  with  overwhelming  force  from  the 
outset. 

"One  day,"  said  he  (after  four  or  five  years  had  passed),  "there 
were  seventy  patients  standing  in  rows  around  my  study.  1  examined 
each  care  in  turn,  made  out  the  prescription  and  gave  it  to  Toros  to 
fill  ;  and  then,  utterly  exhausted,  threw  myself  on  the  bed,  and  said  : 
'  Wife,  I  have  finished  practicing  medicine!  I  shall  never  attend 
another  case!'  'What  do  you  mean?'  she  exclaimed,  in  alarm. 
*  fust  this  :  I  am  going  to  give  it  all  up  to  Toros,  and  when  lie  has  a 
difficult  case  he  may  come  to  consult  about  it,  but  henceforth  I  am 
done  with  medicine  ! '  " 

This  Toros  was  a  common  barber,  who  had  a  natural  taste  in  that 
direction,  and  was  in  the  habit  of  frequenting  the  doctor's  study  dur 
ing  the  hours  when  he  saw  his  patients.  One  day,  when  there  was 
much  to  be  done,  lie  begged  as  a  favor  to  help  in  compounding  the 
medicines.  lie  proved  to  be  very  efficient  and  faithful,  and  finally 


DIARBEKIR.  547 

said  to  the  "little  house-mother"  and  the  dear  children  of 
the  missionary  family  henceforth  bound  to  us  by  new  ties  of 
love  and  sympathy;  and,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Walker,  and 
Yakob,  the  journey  Harpoot-ward  is  commenced. 

Passing  out  of  the  city  with  many  a  lingering  look,  at 
tended  by  my  six  boys  (the  "  ushers  " — who  have  modestly 
presented  their  farewell  offering — cakes  of  sugar,  prepared 
with  syrup  of  fruit,  for  sherbet),  we  find  beyond  the  walls, 
a  hundred  of  the  women  and  giils,  besides  a  number  of  men 
and  boys,  gathered  for  a  parting  word  and  look. 

That  was  a  memorable  journey.  Exceedingly  wearied 
with  the  excitement  and  fatigue  of  getting  off,  the  night  of 


became  invaluable  as  a  voluntary  assistant,  coming  for  several  hours 
everyday.  "  Toros  had  an  iron  memory,"  said  the  doctor.  "Two 
years  afterward  he  could  recall  every  case,  with  its  special  symptoms, 
and  the  remedies  that  I  had  prescribed  !  He  was  unwearied  in  his 
keen  attention,  and  by  degrees  I  allowed  him  to  practice  more  and 
more,  till  on  one  occasion,  when  we  went  together  to  Ma  rash,  he 
opened  the  eyes  of  thirty  blind  people!  "  (by  performing  the  operation  for 
cataract).  lie  was  very  successful  as  a  practicing  physician  of  high 
repute,  after  Dr.  Pratt  threw  up  the  business,  and  became  very 
prosperous,  frequently  receiving  large  fees  from  wealthy  Turks  and 
others,  for  services  that  the  missionary  physician  had  gratuitously 
performed.  But,  to  his  honor  be  it  said,  he  never  forgot  what  he 
owed  his  kind  teacher  and  benefactor  ;  and  when  Dr.  Pratt  removed, 
with  his  family,  to  Constantinople,  for  the  work  of  preparing  a  trans 
lation  of  the  Bible  in  pure  Turkish,  which  should  be  a  standard 
version  for  all  classes,  Toros  was  greatly  overcome  by  his  loss,  and, 
as  Dr.  P.  laughingly  said,  "  the  poor  fellow  stole  behind  the  door,  to 
weep  where  he  might  not  be  seen." 

On  my  way  to  America,  I  was  one  day  in  Dr.  Pratt's  study  at  Bebek 
where  he  was  hard  at  work  over  the  translation  of  the  Word  of  God.  A 
very  difficult  point  presented  itself,  to  which  no  other  version  or 
translation  gave  any  clue.  ("  Where  a  verse  or  a  clause  of  Scripture 
is  obscure,  or  involved,  in  the  Hebrew  or  Greek,  it  is  possible  to  leave 
it  with  the  same  ambiguity  in  the  Armenian  language,"  said  Dr. 
Riggs  ;  "  But  not  so  in  Turkish  :  That  language  is  so  constructed 


548  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

repose  which  we  had  anticipated  at  Geog  Tapa — "  Hill  of 
the  Elk  " — was  simply  a  state  of  intolerable  torture  from 
devouring  fleas,  that  sent  us  on  our  way,  unrefreshed,  at 
three  o'clock  in  the  morning.  And  the  second  night,  at 
Bakur  Maden,  was  a  new  experience  in  our  Eastern  travels: 
When,  through  the  coming  darkness  and  falling  rain,  we 
were  separated  from  Yakob,  and  the  muleteers,  and  repeat 
edly  missed  the  right  road  amid  the  many  devious  pathways 
leading  to  that  city  set  among  the  rocks ;  and  finally,  made 
our  dismal  entry  on  the  wrong  side  ;  night  had  set  in,  and 
the  rain  was  falling  faster  and  faster ;  the  fires  of  "  Tophet," 
in  the  valley,  cast  some  lurid  gleams  upon  our  bewilder- 
that  some  shade  of  meaning,  or  interpretation,  must  of  necessity  be 
given  ;  which  renders  the  task  of  the  translator  a  very  difficult  and 
responsible  one." 

Dr.  Pratt  and  his  Armenian  assistant  were  greatly  perplexed  and  at 
loss  about  this  passage  ;  at  last  I  heard  him  sav,  in  subdued  tones, 
"Avedis,  ii<c  will  ask  (jod  about  it!"  And  they  knelt  in  fervent 
prayer  for  a  Divine  illumination,  while  I,  unnoticed  in  a  secluded 
corner,  was  thrilled  with  a  sense  of  the  sublimity  of  the  scene,  and 
learned  a  frcsli  lesson  of  the  "  anointing"  which  "  teacheth  all  things." 

At  that  very  time,  the  doctor,  whose  health  was  much  broken, 
needed  a  horse,  for  exercise  ;  his  wife  felt  that  it  would  prolong,  if 
not  save,  his  life.  lie  was  sometimes  compelled  to  attend  t»  cases 
of  emergency,  occurring  at  night,  when  no  physician  could  be  pro 
cured  from  the  city;  and,  though  he  charged  no  fees,  English  families 
insisted  upon  sending  what  they  deemed  the  rightful  pecuniary  com 
pensation  for  his  services.  Hut  this  he  could  not  be  induced  to  use 
for  himself  or  family.  "Mv  time  belongs  to  the  Societv  by  whom  I 
am  employed!"  was  his  invariable  reply  to  all  the  arguments  brought 
to  bear  upon  the  case.  And  a  few  years  later,  he  who  was  always 
unconsciously  so  self-sacrificing  (whose  talents  would  hare  com 
manded  the  highest  position  and  compensation  in  his  own  country), 
but  whose  crowning  grace  was  a  genuine  humility  which  never  sought 
the  applause  or  honor  of  his  fellow-man,  was  called,  ere  yet  his  great 
work  was  finished,  to  enter  into  the  "  Rest  that  Rcmaincth  for  the 
people  of  God." 


PIAR15EKIR.  549 


mcnt,  and  a  sudden  flash  of  lightning  revea'ed  our  danger 
ous  footing  upon  a  narrow  cliff,  at  the  very  moment  when  a 
stream  of  fire  (from  furnaces  where  the  smelting  of  copper 
ore  was  going  on)  ran  beneath  my  horse's  feet,  and,  had  not 
some  good  angel  interposed,  he  would  have  plunged  into 
the  madly-roaring  cataract  below.  At  last,  finding  our  way 
across  the  river  and  up  a  steep  hill-side,  we  sought  shelter 
in  a  common  coffee-shop,  where,  a  little  later,  the  men  joined 
us ;  and  when  the  smoking,  drinking,  gossiping  loungers  had 
dispersed,  my  couch  was  speedily  made  in  a  corner  of  the 
high  platform  ;  too  wearied  to  partake  of  any  refreshment, 
I  sought  for  rest,  but  was  soon  awakened  by  a  terrific  storm. 
The  thunder  rolled  and  crashed  among  those  rocky  heights 
like  an  incessant  roar  of  artillery  ;  the  lightning  blazed  in 
vivid  flames  from  peak  to  peak,  and  a  mighty  wind  added 
its  howling  to  the  furious  tempest.  Sleep  was  impossible  ; 
but  the  security  and  peace  inspired  by  the  consciousness  of 
an  Invisible  and  Almighty  Presence  and  protection,  made 
the  scene  sublime : 

"  Howl,  winds  of  night, 
Your  force  combine; 

Without  His  high  behest, 
Ye  shall  not  in  the  mountain  pine 

Disturb  the  sparrow's  nest  !" 

Suddenly,  as  the  wind  lulled  and  the  rain  poured  in  tor 
rents,  a  great  volume  of  water  rushed  from  the  roof  into  the 
room  where  we  lay,  speedily  routing  Mr.  Walker  and  the 
men  from  their  beds  on  the  floor,  and  sending  one  outside 
to  stop  the  old  chimney-hole,  from  which  the  earth  had  been 
washed  away.  Our  Savior's  words  were  literally  verified — 
"  The  rain  descended,  the  floods  came,  and  the  winds  blew 


550  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


and  beat  upon  that  house,  and  it  fell  not ;  for  \vas  founded 
upon  a  rock."  When  the  morning  dawned  the  storm  still 
raged,  though  less,  furiously ;  and  at  nine  o'clock,  when  it 
had  somewhat  abated,  we  started  on  our  journey,  against 
the  earnest  remonstrances  of  the  few  Protestants  and  others, 
who  urged  that  the  storm  had  rendered  the  river  impassable, 
and  that  travel  over  the  mountains  would  be  very  dangerous. 
But  Mr.  Walker  was  anxious  to  push  on,  and  concluded  to 
venture  in  spite  of  their  warnings.  Half  a  dozen  showers 
fell  during  the  morning,  and  the  narrow  mountain  paths 
were  very  slippery,  in  some  places  almost  washed  away. 
At  one  narrow  pass,  where,  but  a  few  months  before,  a 
Turkish  Mudir  and  his  suite  had  been  swept  down  into  a 
deep  ravine  by  an  avalanche  of  snow,  my  horse  (which  had 
been  reared  on  the  plains  of  Nineveh,  and  wholly  unaccus 
tomed  to  mountain  travel)  stopped  short,  and  Mr.  Walker, 
fearing  for  my  safety,  called  to  me  to  dismount.  As  I 
stepped  across  the  deep  rut  worn  by  the  water  pouring  from 
the  heights  above,  my  heart  stood  still,  for  a  slip  upon  that 
miry  soil  would  have  caused  a  quick  descent  into  the  yawn 
ing  chasm  far  below.  Our  progress  was  very  slow,  and  occa 
sional  travelers  whom  we  met  gave  conflicting  accounts  of 
the  river  which  we  were  to  ford.  Finally  we  heard  of  one 
place  which  was  passable,  and  after  great  tribulation  suc 
ceeded  in  finding  it  and  in  getting  across,  at  the  risk  of  our 
lives.  Mr.  Walker  forded  it  first  for  a  trial,  intending  to 
return  for  me  ;  but  that  the  men  would  not  allow  ;  and  while 
I  clung  to  the  neck  of  the  high,  steady  steed,  they,  divested 
of  most  of  their  clothing,  threw  themselves  into  the  water 
and  guided  him  across. 

The  sun  looked  out  from  the  West  for  a  parting  gleam,  as 


DIARBEKIR.  55 1 


we  reached  the  summit  of  "  Camel's  Neck  ;"  the  men  were  far 
behind,  and  we  reined  our  horses  upon  one  of  the  highest 
points  till  they  should  come  up.  The  thunder  ominously  mut 
tered  its  deep-toned  bass  among  the  frowning  grey  peaks,  and 
flashes  of  lightning  played  around  our  heads.  Suddenly  the 
curtain  of  night  settled  down  upon  the  earth,  the  clouds  dis 
charged  a  deluge  of  their  watery  contents,  and  we  were  en 
veloped  in  gloom.  After  calling  and  shouting  to  the  loiter 
ers  and  hearing  no  reply,  Mr.  Walker  left  me  to  search  for 
them ;  and  when  they  came  up,  the  rain  had  obliterated 
every  trace  of  the  mountain  paths,  and  they  scattered  in 
various  directions  to  seek  the  road.  And  again  I  was  left 
in  utter  silence  and  mortal  terror  lest  my  horse  should  step 
backward,  and  be  precipitated  into  some  fearful  abyss.  Now 
the  Badveli  would  come  and  lead  him  for  a  little,  and  then 
in  the  thick  darkness  I  would  again  be  left  alone,  till  Yakob 
lent  a  helping  hand.  At  last  it  was  deemed  too  dangerous 
for  me  to  remain  mounted,  and  crawling  slowly  down  among 
jagged  rocks,  feeling  in  every  direction,  lest  in  the  impene 
trable  night  a  misstep  might  dash  me  down  some  unseen 
precipice,  I  tried  to  lead  the  horse,  who  came  plunging  down 
behind  me ;  but  finally  gave  up  the  attempt,  and  left  him  to 
his  fate.  Every  now  and  then  the  good  Badveli  wrould 
come  to  take  my  hand,  bemoaning  our  helpless  situation, 
and  saying,  "  O  my  sister !  I  fear  this  night  of  exposure  and 
fatigue  will  cause  your  death  !"  and  I  endeavored  to  hearten  ' 
him  with  words  of  hope  and  cheer.  At  midnight  we  reached 
the  foot  of  the  mountain,  by  following  a  sure-footed  mule 
accustomed  to  the  road ;  but  again  lost  our  way,  for  the  rush 
ing  stream  which  usually  flowed  at  its  base,  was  now  multi 
plied  to  half  a  dozen.  After  wandering  among  the  fields 


552  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


for  awhile,  we  came  out  upon  the  right  road,  and  were  hop 
ing  that  the  worst  was  over,  when  two  of  the  Persian  pack- 
horses  began  to  fight,  and  a  flash  of  lightning  showed  them 
standing  upcn  their  hind  feet,  pawing  at  each  other,  while 
uttering  the  most  unearthly  screams, — and  our  own  steeds 
started  back  in  terror.  This  was  frightful,  and  gave  an  addi 
tional  shock  to  already  overstrained  nerves,  though  not  a 
word  was  uttered,  and  the  two  belligerents  were  soon  separ 
ated. 

As  we  neared  the  village  of  Komk,  not  a  glimmer  of  light 
cheered  our  eyes,  and  fears  were  expressed  that  we  might 
not  easily  find  a  place  to  spend  the  remainder  of  the  night. 
But  the  sound  of  approaching  feet  brought  out  a  villager 
with  his  lantern,  who  welcomed  us  to  his  great  stable,  where, 
with  eight  buffaloes,  six  oxen,  a  number  of  donkeys,  cows, 
calves,  and  horses  as  companions,  we  speedily  made  our- 
selyes  at  home.  The  warmth  imparted  by  these  animals 
was  our  salvation  after  the  fatigue  and  exposure  of  the  last 
fourteen  hours,  and  we  were  very  thankful  for  so  comfort 
able  a  shelter.  A  fire  soon  bla/.ed  at  one  end  of  the  rude 
platform  where  we  had  bestowed  ourselves  for  the  night ; 
a  cup  of  tea  was  made,  and  eggs  were  boiled,  of  which  the 
others  partook  with  zest  after  their  long  fast.  IHit  again  my 
appetite  had  entirely  failed,  and  rest  was  all  that  I  craved— 
if,  indeed,  the  strained  nerves  and  muscles,  and  stiffened 
bones  would  succumb  to  sleep,  instead  of  revenging  them 
selves  by  refusing  to  relax  the  cruel  tension We 

reached  Harpoot  in  good  season  the  next  day,  and  after  a 
Sabbath  of  refreshment,  our  good  brother  Walker  hastened 

back  to  his  home  and  work Another  week  found 

me  again   at   ny  duties  in  the  school-room,  little  conscious 


DIARBEKIR.  553 

that  what  was  deemed  but  a  natural  reaction  and  depression 
of  the  system,  would  surely  swell  the  aggregate  of  an  account 
for  which  much-wronged  and  inexorable  nature  would  de 
mand  "  compound  interest  "  in  future  years  of  weakness 
and  suffering. 
24 


C^^^si^p^^gjiw^ 


v . 

g 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN   ARMENIA. 

|ERY  well ;  but  if,  as  you  say,  *  a  little  learning  is 
a  dangerous  thing,'  why  then  give  us  a  nine  years' 
course,  with  Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew.  That's 
just  what  we  want."  This  was  said  by  Ghazeros,  one  of  a 
class  of  twenty-three  men  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
Harpoot,  whom  I  was  teaching  in  Mr.  Wheeler's  place, — at 
his  most  urgent  request, — while  he  and  his  family  were  ab 
sent  for  a  month  at  Malatia. 

His  argument — that  the  influence  upon  them  would  be 
most  salutary  and  elevating,  while  at  the  same  time  it  re 
leased  a  fully-equipped  missionary  for  general  and  most 
important  work  in  the  field — finally  overcame  my  scruples  ; 
and  when  the  other  missionaries  added  the  weight  of  their 
conviction  to  his  plea,  the  novel  task  was  accepted,  though 
not  without  much  shrinking.  When  I  first  entered  the 
Seminary  room  and  took  my  seat  in  the  "  professor's  chair," 
I  could  see  the  smile  on  many  a  face;  but  nerved  myself  for 
the  undertaking,  and  assumed  a  courage  by  no  means  felt  in 
the  presence  of  men  whose  ideas  of  woman  were  of  neces 
sity  very  low  as  compared  with  our  own  countrymen.  For 
the  first  few  days  the  constant  tension  proved  very  exhaust 
ing  ;  I  was  studying  my  class,  and  they  were  equally  engaged 
(554) 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  555 


my  ability  as  a  teacher.  Though  not  taught  in 
schools,  they  had  long  studied  God's  Word,  and  some  of 
them  were  thinkers  of  no  mean  order.  Several  were  old 
helpers,  brought  in  for  a  season  of  more  thorough  Biblical 
instruction  and  training  in  other  studies,  and  one  was  a  con 
verted  priest. 

The  colloquial  of  some  of  the  villagers  required  an  inces 
sant  strain  of  attention  to  catch  their  meaning ;  and  there 
was  an  evident  effort  on  the  part  of  two  or  three  forward 
ones  to  puzzle  and  entrap  the  "  Varzhoohi."  But  at  the 
close  of  our  first  week's  review,  I  took  occasion  to  speak  of 
our  relations  as  teacher  and  pupils — that  I  did  not  come 
there  to  show  them  how  much  I  knew,  or  to  find  out  how 
wise  they  were ;  but  simply  to  assist  them,  so  far  as  in  my 
power,  in  that  which  they  desired  to  learn  ;  ending  with  a 
word  of  kind  acknowledgment  to  those  who  had  been  gen 
tlemanly  and  attentive.  This  had  the  desired  effect,  and 
with  the  exception  of  an  occasional  hint  to  one  who  was 
remiss  in  study  (which  quickly  brought  the  color  to  his 
face),  no  further  reminder  of  their  duty  was  needed,  and 
they  were  uniformly  as  polite  and  respectful  as  could  be 
desired. 

We  were  spending  an  hour  and  a  quarter  each  day  in  the 
careful  study  of  the  Book  of  Acts,  and  very  lively  and  profit 
able  discussions  arose  upon  various  points  connected  v/ith 
the  Apostolic  method  of  preaching  the  gospel.  I  quoted 
our  Savior's  example  in  His  training-class  for  missionary 
service,  as  an  illustration  of  the  estimation  in  which  the 
Master  held  the  heavenly  wisdom,  in  comparison  with  earthly 
knowledge  and  human  sciences,  which  He  "  in  whom  are  hid 
all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge,"  did  not  impart 


556  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

to  them;  and  ended  with  the  statement  that,  as  a  rule,  those 
who  knew  the  least  were  the  most  puffed  up  with  the  idea  of 
their  own  wisdom;  and  that  the  deeper  a  man  dived  into  the 
mines  of  learning,  the  more  he  understood,  as  did  one  of 
the  greatest  philosophers,  that  he  had  "  but  gathered  a  few 
pebbles  on  the  shores  of  an  infinite  ocean." 

This  statement  was  met  by  Ghazeros  (as  quoted),  who 
cast  a  triumphant  glance  around  the  class,  as  if  to  say, 
"  Now  I  have  caught  the  Varzhoohi !"  It  was  a  blessed 
thing  for  me  that  I  had  my  Bible  so  much  at  command,  and 
Paul's  words  were  a  better  answer  than  any  other  :  "  If  any 
man  think  that  he  knoweth  anything,  he  knoweth  nothing 
yet  as  he  ought  to  know  ;"  and,  "  Though  I  speak  with  the 
tongues  of  men  and  of  angels,  and  have  not  Love,  I  am  be 
come  as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal.  And  though 
I  have  the  gift  of  prophecy,  and  understand  all  mysteries 
and  all  knowledge,  and  have  not  Love,  I  am  nothing." — And 
I  continued  : 

"  We  will  suppose  that  the  Evangelical  Armenian  churches 
have  arrived  at  such  prosperity,  that  the  time  has  come  for 
them  to  send  the  gospel  to  darker  lands  ;  and  a  few  men  are 
appointed  to  Africa.  Now  what  course  would  you  instruct 
them  to  pursue  in  laying  foundations  ?  Would  you  say, 
'  Preach  the  gospel ;  and  as  soon  as  a  few  Africans  are 
converted,  train  them,  by  a  short  course  of  study  (mostly 
Biblical),  to  go  forth  as  Christian  workers  among  their  own 
poor,  ignorant,  degraded  people,  till  the  general  standard  of 
education  shall  be  raised  among  them,  and  they  themselves 
be  willing  to  make  sacrifices  for  the  establishment  of  higher 
schools?'  Or,  would  you  enjoin  it  upon  your  missionaries 
to  spend  your  money  in  giving  those  men  a  classical  '  nine 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  557 


years'  course '  (which  would  lift  them  infinitely  above 
their  people)  while  at  the  same  time  thousands  were 
starving  for  the  Bread  of  Life  ?"  There  was  scarcely  a  dis 
senting  voice.  All  were  in  favor  of  the  Divine  method,  but 
one,  who  ventured  to  argue  the  point,  when  his  companions 
cut  him  short  by  saying,  with  the  force  of  conviction,  "  Yes, 
we  should  !  you  know  that  we  would  give  the  short  course  /"  It 
required  no  little  tact  and  watchfulness  to  avoid  irrelevant 
and  unprofitable  questions  and  vain  speculations.,  in  which 
the  Armenian  mind  delights.* 

Rumors  of  what  appeared  to  be  the  beginning  of  heresy  in 
another  field  had  attracted  the  attention  and  excited  the  in 
terest  of  the  students  :  A  philosophy  and  fine-spun  theory 
which  virtually  denied  the  vicarious  atonement  of  Christ, 
and  (as  the  disciple  invariably  goes  beyond  his  master  in 
such  teachings)  would  ultimately  land  this  people  in  a  belief 
of  universal  salvation,  if  not  something  worse.  Therefore 
my  constant  aim  during  these  few  weeks  of  Bible- teach 
ing,  was  to  lead  these  future  preachers  of  the  gospel  to  imi- 


*  But  we  did  not  treat  their  queries  about  the  "  origin  of  sin,"  etc., 
as  summarily  as  did  the  colored  preacher  who  was  closing  his  de 
scription  of  the  creation,  with  the  words,  "  Den  de  Lor'  He  done 
make  Adam  out  ob  de  dust  ob  de  earth,  and  sot  him  by  de  fence  to 
dry;"  when  one  of  his  rude  audience  broke  out  with,  "  Dat  am  all 
bery  well,  but  who  made  dat  'ar  fence?"  and  the  irate  preacher 
thundered  forth,  "  Put  dat  darkey  out  ob  de  meet  in'  !  Such  questions  de 
like  ob  dat  destroy  all  de  f oology  ob  de  -world /"  When  Mr.  Williams 
came  with  his  training-class  to  Harpoot  a  year  later,  we  found  thlt 
he  allowed  more  of  these  side-issues  to  be  discussed  during  the  ordi 
nary  recitations,  because,  he  said,  they  had  lacked  all  early  training 
and  the  thousand  sources  of  information  open  to  those  of  Christian 
lands  ;  and  perhaps,  the  opportunity  to  enlighten  and  guide  their 
minds  on  various  points,  might  never  again  occur  in  the  multitude 
of  his  pressing  cares  and  duties.  He  made  everything  in  his  own 


558  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


tate  closely  the  example  of  the  Divine  Teacher  in  the  clear 
ness  and  simplicity  of  their  utterances,  and  abundant  illus 
trations  drawn  from  the  daily  life  and  thought  of  the  people. 
Not  "  teaching  for  doctrines  the  commandments  of  men;" 
or  searching  into  hidden  mysteries,  remembering  that  the 
"secret  things  belong  unto  the  Lord,  but  the  things  which 
are  revealed  belong  to  us  and  to  our  children,  that  we  may 
do  all  the  words  of  this  law."  The  Church  is  replete  with 
systems,  and  many  a  valley  filled  with  the  dry  bones  of 
theology,  when  its  great  want  is  the  WORD  and  the  SPIRIT  ! 

What  these  men  most  seemed  to  need  for  a  successful 
ministry  among  their  own  people  was,  hearts  surcharged 
with  the  magnetism  of  sympathy  and  souls  on  fire  with  the 
love  of  Christ. 

"  Say  '  Baksheesh  /'  "  suggested  Maranos,  our  good  assist 
ant  teacher,  when  we  were  sitting  by  the  bedside  of  a  woman 
who  had  been  such  a  bitter  opposer  that  the  neighbors  were 
afraid  to  have  us  venture  near  her  house.  We  found  her 
heart  softened  by  sickness ;  and  fjr  the  first  time  she  lis 
tened  to  the  words  of  Christ,  as  I  tried  to  explain  to  her  the 


stock  of  knowledge  subservient  to  their  use,  drawing  illustrations 
from  all  sources,  high  and  low — "  Mother  Goose's  Melodies,"  "  Alad 
din's  Entertainment"  mechanics,  arts,  sciences,-— each  in  turn 
were  laid  under  contribution  to  increase  their  general  fund  and  range 
of  thought.  And  the  merry  peals  of  laughter  that  often  came  from 
the  room  where  they  were  gathered  for  their  daily  lessons,  testified  to 
their  hearty  appreciation  of  his  genial  method.  And  yet  he  ever 
maintained  his  dignity  as  a  Christian  teacher,  and  the  love  and  ad 
miration  with  which  his  pupils  regarded  their  "  Ilowadji  "  was  almost 
akin  to  worship.  If  Dr.  Goodell,  of  Constantinople,  sometimes  re 
minded  us  of  the  celebrated  Sidney  Smith,  Mr. Williams,— who,  by  the 
way,  is  a  brother  of  that  eminent  scholar  and  statesman,  Welles  S. 
"Williams,  L.L.I).,  of  China— resembled  Charles  Lamb,  in  his  line 
wit  and  play  of  farcy. 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  559 


only  way  of  salvation.  "Ah,  yes!"  she  answered;  "of 
course  you,  who  have  done  so  many  good  works,  will  be 
saved ;  God  will  accept you,  but  He  cannot  look  upon  me  !" 
"  '  Not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we  have  done,  but 
according  to  His  mercy,  He  saves  us — by  the  washing  of 
regeneration  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost,'  "  I  replied ; 
adding,  "  It  is  all  Free  Grace  ;"  when  Maranos,  whose  heart 
was  warm  with  interest  and  sympathy,  whispered,  "  If  you  say 
'  baksheesh,'  she  will  understand  you  better." — "  Baksheesh  !" 
that  fearfully  common  and  tiresome  word,  in  the  mouth  of 
every  beggar  who  solicits  alms  with  outstretched  hand  and 
whining  accents ;  and  which  often  falls  from  the  lips  of 
brawny  men  who,  when  a  bargain  is  concluded,  beg  for  a 
"  present  " — something  over  and  above,  for  which  no  equiva 
lent  would  be  given,  or  compensation  expected.  And  this 
much-abused  term  at  once  conveyed  to  that  untaught  mind 
the  meaning  of  the  "  grace  of  God  which  bringeth  salvation  " 
in  the  "  unspeakable  Gift  "  of  His  Son! 

Our  daily  Bible-lesson  became  more  and  more  interesting 
as  teacher  and  pupils  became  familiarized  to  one  another. 
Sometimes  one  verse  would  prove  so  rich  in  meaning  and 
comprehensive  in  its  scope,  that  it  occupied  the  entire  hour; 
as,  for  instance,  the  nineteenth  verse  of  the  third  chapter  of 
Acts — "  Repent  ye,  therefore,  and  be  converted,  that  your 
sins  may  be  blotted  out  when  the  times  of  refreshing  shall 
come  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord."  Each  student  was 
called  upon,  as  usual,  to  state, — in  clear  and  simple  language, 
as  if  to  'one  who  had  never  heard  the  gospel, — his  idea  of  true 
and  false  Repentance ;  illustrating  every  point  by  his  own 
familiar  experience,  or  by  what  he  had  seen  in  others.  The 
same  in  regard  to  Conversion, — which,  in  Armenian,  means  to 


560  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


"  turn  "• — to  change  entirely  one's  course.  And  the  expression, 
"  times  of  refreshing,"  brought  up  the  subject  of  Revivals  in 
the  Church  of  Christ ;  the  spiritual  being  illustrated  by  the 
natural.  When  their  illustrations  failed,  I  gave  them  the  benefit 
of  my  own  store,  many  of  which  were  lodged  in  the  mind 
from  childhood  by  the  faithful  teachings  of  a  Christian 
mother,  pastor,  Bible-teacher,  or  by  general  reading  and 
experience  ;  besides  the  accumulations  of  later  years,  drawn 
from  every  source.  To  these  they  listened  with  great  delight, 
and  months  afterward  it  was  a  source  of  much  pleasure  to 
hear  repeated  in  many  a  village  lecture,  not  a  few  of  those 
comparisons  and  similes  (as,  for  instance,  the  full  heads  of 
wheat  bending  toward  the  earth, — a  type  of  genuine  humility, 
— while  the  empty  ones  were  lifted  loftily  toward  heaven  as 
if  in  pride  and  arrogance  ;  or,  the  wagon  noisily  rattling 
over  the  street,  proclaiming  its  own  emptiness,  while  the  silent 
stream  carrying  untold  blessings  on  its  bosom,  was  known  by 
the  verdure  on  its  banks,  etc.) 

The  meaning  of  the  words  "  that  your  sins  may  be  blotted 
out,"  was  sought,  and  the  students  gave  various  illustrations 
of  "debt  and  credit."  Though  all  acknowledged  that 
while  the  charge  against  one  might  be  "  crossed  out  "  and 
effaced,  it  could  not  be  said  to  be  "  blotted  out  "  so  long  as 
traces  of  the  original  score  remained.  They  had  never 
heard  of  the  waxed  tablets  used  in  ancient  times,  upon 
which  the  writing  was  traced  with  a  metal  "  style,"  and 
which  could  be  easily  erased  by  smoothing  the  surface  with 
the  handle.  And  we  turned  to  the  words  of  Jeremiah  : 
l'  The  sin  of  Judah  is  written  with  a  pen  of  iron,  and  with 
the  point  of  a  diamond  ;  it  is  graven  upon  the  table  of  their 
heart."  But  the  illustration  which  most  effectively  showed 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  561 

the  blotting  out,  was  that  of  Charlotte  Elizabeth's  "  Happy 
Mute,"  who  dreamed  that  he  died,  and  stood  before  the 
Judgment-Seat,  and  the  "  Books  were  opened."  And  when 
he  saw  beneath  his  name  a  long,  dark  catalogue  of  sins,  he 
was  overwhelmed  with  shame,  and  ready  to  sink  with  terror. 
But  the  Savior  cast  upon  him  a  gracious  look,  and  saying, 
with  unspeakable  love  and  tenderness,  "John!"  lifted  the 
pierced  hand,  from  which  the  drops  were  oozing,  and  passed 
it  over  the  black  record.  John's  sins  were  all  "  blotted  out," 
and  when  the  Father  looked  He  saw  only  the  blood  of  His 
dear  Son. 

Not  a  word  was  uttered  when  the  simple  story  was  fin 
ished,  but  the  tenderness  and  solemnity  visible  upon  every 
face,  showed  that  their  hearts  had  been  deeply  moved,  and 
that  the  lesson  would  never  be  forgotten. 

When  Mr.  Wheeler  returned  from  Malatia,  he  generously 
begged  me  to  keep  the  class,  thinking  that  I  had  "  found 
my  vocation."  But  the  women  and  girls  of  our  own  school 
(with  a  new,  and  more  stupid  set,  in  place  of  those  who  left 
last  year,)  afforded  an  ample  field  for  all,  and  more  than  I  had 
strength  to  accomplish  in  the  heat  of  Summer,  and  the  honor 
was  declined. 

The  season  sped  away  "  like  a  tale  that  is  told."  The 
Annual  Meeting  of  the  Mission  convened  at  Harpoot,  in  June, 
brought  most  of  its  members  together ;  the  removal  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Richardson  to  Broosa,  in  the  Western  Turkey  Mis 
sion,  threw  the  Arabkir  field  into  the  hands  of  the  missionaries 
at  Harpoot,  and  an  annexation  took  place.  An  "  Evangelical 
Union  "  of  all  the  Protestant  Churches,  and  pastors  of  the 
Mission,  was  fully  established,  and  Pastor  Marrleros,  of  Har-^ 
poot,  was  unanimously  elected  as  President, 

24* 


562  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


When  this  convocation  was  over,  and  we  had  returned  to 
the  quiet  tenor  of  our  usual  work,  the  sudden  and  severe 
illness  of  Mrs.  Wheeler,  brought  again  the  shadow  of  Death 
over  our  hearts  ;  for  months  she  lay  in  the  "  Border  Land," 
and  many  hours  of  anxious  watching  were  spent  by  that  bed 
side.  Again  the  heat  was  very  oppressive,  and  ophthalmia 
prevailed  to  an  alarming  extent  among  the  people,  affecting 
more  or  less  the  missionary  families.  The  swarms  of  flies 
settling  upon  the  faces,  and  swarming  around  the  sore  eyes 
of  native  children,  who  were  so  accustomed  to  them  that 
they  did  not  even  brush  them  off,  was  too  disgusting  a  sight 
to  be  endured.  But  it  was  scarcely  as  bad  as  the  "  Aleppo 
button,"  or  "  year  sore,"  a  chronic  scourge  in  all  this  region, 
and  even  worse  in  the  southern  portions  of  the  country. 
The  cause  of  this  infliction  the  keenest  medical  skill  and 
scrutiny  has  as  yet  failed  to  discover,  and  many  a  missionary 
wears  upon  his  face  or  hands  the  unsightly  and  life-long  scars. 

A  son  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Schneider,  of  Aintab,  had  sixty  or 
seventy  of  these  often  painful  and  sometimes  offensive  sores 
(which  last  for  a  year,)  upon  his  person  at  one  time ;  and  his 
devoted  mother*  (who,  in  the  beauty  and  brilliancy  of  an 
early  womanhood  of  more  than  ordinary  attractions,  cheer 
fully  left  the  society  of  which  she  was  a  shining  ornament, 
and  consecrated  her  life  to  labors  and  self-denials  among 
those  who  were  little  capable  of  appreciating  either),  did  not 
utter  one  repining  word.  But,  as  she  afterward  looked  upon 
the  disfiguring  scars  which  marred  the  face  of  her  first-born 
she  simply  said,  "They  will  not  be  seen  in  Heaven  !" 


*Mrs.  S.  had  one  herself,— an  excrescence,  upon  so  prominent  a 
feature,  that  for  months  she  was  obliged  to  wear  a  veil,  to  screen  it 
from  vie\y. 


SOWING  AND   REAPING  IN  ARMENIA.  563 

SMALL-POX  is  also  a  chronic  scourge  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  this  land.  In  fact,  it  is  so  generally  considered 
a  necessary  evil,  that  it  is  a  common  thing  for  mothers  to  in 
oculate  their  little  ones,  by  mingling  the  virus  with  their 
food  !  This  of  course  gives  the  disease  in  its  most  malig 
nant  form  ;  and  many  die,  while  others  are  rendered  totally 
blind  from  its  effects.  We  meet  with  it  everywhere.  "  What 
is  the  matter  with  your  child  ?"  I  asked  a  mother  who  came 
late,  to  one  of  my  meetings  in  the  chapel  (soon  after  my 
arrival  at  Harpoot),  and  sat  so  near  me,  that  the  infant's 
head  almost  touched  my  arm,  during  the  hour.  "  O,  it  is 
small-pox  /"  she  replied,  with  the  most  perfect  coolness. 
But  these  are  among  the  "  little  trials"  of  which  true,  earnest 
missionaries  make  but  small  account,  in  comparison  with  the 
JOY  of  the  WORK  !  j 

We  have  had  a  new  experience  at  Harpoot,  in  a  fire,  which 
broke  out  one  sultry  night,  owing  to  the  carelessness  of  a 
smoker  of  tobacco  or  opium,  and  four  or  five  hundred  shops, 
besides  other  buildings,  were  consumed.  Several  Protest 
ants  lost  their  all  of  earthly  goods,  and  two  Turks,  whose 
possessions  were  swept  away,  committed  suicide.  The  peo 
ple  were  in  the  greatest  terror — without  fire-engines,  or  wa 
ter,  or  men  who  were  capable  of  doing  anything  to  extin 
guish  the  spreading  flames.  The  three  missionaries,  Bar- 
num,  Allen,  and  Wheeler,  were  roused  from  their  sleep  after 
midnight,  and,  with  the  students,  were  soon  in  the  thickest 
of  the  conflict,  working  with  all  their  might,  using  earth 
instead  of  water,  to  stay  the  devouring  element.  By  their 
direction,  several  houses  were  torn  down,  and  when  the 
heavy  roofs  (covered  with  tons  of  earth)  fell  in,  clouds 
of  dust  almost  choked  the  workers.  In  one  instance,  they 


564  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


were  but  a  moment  before  standing  upon  such  a  roof  to 
oversee  the  work,  and  barely  escaped  with  their  lives.  By 
their  unwearied  efforts  and  sagacity  the  fire  was  checked; 
but  when  they  returned  to  their  homes  in  the  morning,  with 
hair  singed,  eyes  inflamed,  and  faces  blackened,  we  scarcely 
recognized  them.  The  city  was  full  of  their  praises ;  men 
of  all  classes  and  nationalities  talked  of  the  disinterested 
efforts  of  the  missionaries,  and  the  Pasha  sent  them  special 
and  hearty  thanks. 

FALLING  B  Y   THE    WA  Y-SIDE. 

Reports  of  cholera  were  frequent  in  communications  from 
Diarbekir.  One  of  our  last  year's  graduates,  who  was  ac 
tively  engaged  in  teaching,  was  taken  by  it  to  be  with  Jesus  • 
also  one  of  the  larger  boys,  who  attended  the  "  Children's 
Meeting  "  of  last  Winter.  Our  fears  were  awakened  for  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Walker,  and  they  were  frequently  urged  to  come 
to  Harpoot ;  but  they  could  not  be  persuaded  to  leave  their 
people  at  such  a  time,  to  flee  from  what  they  deemed  the 
post  of  duty ;  and  their  letters  were  full  of  hope  and  cour 
age.  But  one  September  morning,  when  we  thought  that 
the  danger  was  past,  there  came  a  telegram — like  a  thunder 
clap  from  a  serene  Summer  sky — telling,  in  fearfully  stunning 
words,  of  "Brother  Walker's  death  by  cholera-"  Mr.  Wheeler 
and  Mr.  Barnum  were  absent,  "  touring  "  through  the  out- 
stations  of  Arabkir,  newly  added  to  the  Harpoot  field  (which 
numbered  forty  or  fifty),  and  this  sudden  stroke  would  fall 
with  crushing  weight  upon  already  overburdened  hearts. 
At  a  glance,  we  saw  that  Diarbekir,  with  all  its  interests, 
cares,  and  responsibilities,  must  now  be  added  to  the  terri 
tory  under  their  supervision,  comprising  in  all  about  2,600 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  565 

square  miles,  as  large  in  its  extent  as  the  States  of  Massa 
chusetts,  New  Hampshire,  and  Vermont,  or  two-fifths  of  all 
New  England,  to  be  worked  from  Harpoot,  as  a  centre,  by 
three  men  !  But  our  hearts  turned  to  her  who  now  knew,  as 
never  before,  the  meaning  of  "  widow;"  and  our  pens  were 
busy  (as,  oh,  so  often  during  our  missionary  life  !)  in  assur 
ing  the  stricken  one  of  our  tenderest  sympathy  and  united 
prayers  for  her  and  her  fatherless  children. 

Letters  from  Mr.  Williams,  and  from  my  six  Diarbekir 
boys  (who  continued  to  write,  and  frequently  sent  me  little 
tokens  of  remembrance,  during  the  Summer),  gave  the  sad 
particulars  of  that  heavy  bereavement.  In  that  wretched  khan 
at  Alipoonga, — upon  whose  unshaded  clay  walls  the  hot  sun 
poured  down  his  fierce,  burning  rays,  till  the  air  seemed  to 
come  from  a  heated  oven,  and  swarms  of  flies  infested  the 
inner  apartments, — the  missionary  family  sought  refuge  from 
the  more  stifling  heat  of  the  city.  The  poor  children  were 
especially  tormented  with  insects  of  various  kinds,  which, 
like  so  many  vampires,  preyed  upon  them ;  and  their  eyes, 
unaccustomed  to  the  glare  reflected  from  the  yellowish  clay 
which  everywhere  surrounded  them,  were  almost  blind  with 
ophthalmia.  The  roof  received  their  couches  at  night,  but 
then  another  danger  threatened,  from  the  chilling  wind  that 
set  in.  As  the  days  and  weeks  passed  slowly  by,  the  pesti 
lence  "that  wasteth  at  noon-day,"  carried  hundreds  from  the 
city  to  their  "  last  home."  The  faithful  missionary  was  con 
stantly  going  back  and  forth  in  the  burning  sun  to  care  for 
his  flock ;  watching  by  the  dying,  burying  the  dead,  and  ad 
ministering 'consolation  to  the  mourners.  The  months  of 
July  and  August  had  worn  away,  and  the  khan  at  Alipoonga 
contained  in  its  lower  rooms  (mostly  stables)  a  colony  of 


566  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


thirty  Protestants,  who  had  there  sought  refuge  from  the 
plague :  Several  were  soon  seized,  but  none  died.  With 
brave  hearts  the  husband  and  wife  endured  the  discomforts 
of  their  situation,  and  sustained  each  other  with  cheering 
words  and  faith  in  God.  But  there  came  a  day  when  the 
strong  man  was  prostrated  ;  the  wife,  alone,  without  phy 
sician  or  friends  to  counsel,  sought  to  stay  the  disease,  aided 
by  faithful  and  anxious  Protestant  brethren,  who  would  fain 
have  laid  down  their  lives  to  save  their  beloved  teacher. 
One  of  them,  foreseeing  the  end,  secretly  sent  a  telegram  to 
Mardin.  Mr.  Williams  received  it  that  evening ;  and  while 
Yakob  was  hastily  making  ready  for  the  journey,  the  "  How- 
adji "  performed  a  marriage  ceremony  which  could  not 
be  delayed,  and  offered  a  prayer,  and  a  few  words  of  conso 
lation,  by  the  coffin  of  a  child  belonging  to  his  flock ;  and 
then  mounted  his  horse,  and,  with  his  heart  full  of  forebod 
ings,  set  forth  upon  that  lonely  journey.  The  morning  saw 
a  single  horseman  dashing  along  the  river-road,  by  the  grim 
city,  on,  on  to  the  rude  village  !  He  looked  haggard  and 
anxious,  and  his  steed  was  foaming  and  jaded  with  the  ride 
of  that  long  night. 

As  he  approached  the  khan  an  indescribable  fear  seized 
his  heart,  and  his  hand  involuntarily  slackened  the  rein. 
Alas !  there  was  no  need  of  haste.  The  gateway  was 
reached ;  the  men  who  sat  in  its  shadow  respectfully  arose, 
but  uttered  no  word  of  greeting.  Blank  despair  was  writ 
ten  on  every  face.  He  rode  into  the  court,  and  flung  him 
self  from  his  horse.  A  door  opened,  and  a  child  appeared, 
who  anticipated  the  question  which  his  lips  could  not  frame, 
by  saying,  "  Father  is  dead."  With  strange  calmness  and 
serenity  of  spirit,  still  upheld  by  an  invisible  Hand,  the 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  567 

stricken  wife, — who  all  that  night  had  bent  over  the  uncon 
scious  sufferer,  using  every  remedy,  and  hoping  against  hope 
till  the  spirit  returned  to  God, — was  giving  directions  for  the 

last  offices  to  be  performed  for  her  beloved  one 

The  sun  was  nearing  the  horizon,  when  a  solemn  procession 
slowly  passed  along  the  rough  and  stony  road  leading  to  the 
burial-place  where,  years  before,  the  lamented  Righter*  was 
laid  to  rest.  Very  tenderly  the  bier  was  borne  by  the  hands 
of  loving  disciples  over  the  two  weary  miles  which  the  feet 
of  their  beloved  teacher  had  so  often  trod.  And  when  they 
laid  their  precious  burden  down  upon  the  hill-side  beneath 
the  shadow  of  an  almond-tree,  and  the  service  was  ended, 
and  the  earth  fell  with  a  dull,  heavy  thud  upon  the  coffin, 
the  cry  of  the  little  daughter,  "  Father,  father  !  I  want  my 
father  /"  pierced  every  heart  afresh,  and  strong  men  bowed 
themselves  in  bitter  lamentation  over  that  new-made  grave. 
But  as  they  turned  away,  the  setting  sun  lighted  river,  rock, 
hill,  and  plain,  and  even  the  gloomy  walls  of  the  "  Black 
city,"  with  its  dying  glow  —  a  faint  emblem  of  the  never- 
fading  Sun  of  Righteousness,  whose  beams  are  shed  upon 
the  Christian's  tomb.  And  when  the  sad  night  again  closed 
upon  those  smitten  ones,  and  the  city  gates  were  shut,  that 
none  might  go  out  or  come  in,  the  Angel  of  the  Covenant 
whispered,  "Fear  not  j  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake 

thee." 

Calling  with   Mrs.  Barnum  at  the  house  of  Haji  Hagop 
one  day,  we  found  the  good  old  man  just  recovering  from  a 


*  Rev.  C.  R.  Righter,  when  acting  as  an  Agent  of  the  American  Bible 
Society,  visited  Diarbekir,  where,  in  the  vigor  of  early  manhood,  a 
fever  ended  his  earthly  life,  and  sent  a  wave  of  desolation  through  the 
home-circle  of  friends  who  were  fondly  looking  for  his  return. 


568  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

severe  attack  of  asthma.  His  face  was  much  flushed,  and, 
for  a  few  moments,  he  could  not  speak  ;  but,  as  the  paroxysm 
passed  away,  gave  us  a  most  cordial  welcome. 

He  referred  to  his  infirmity,  and  said  he  was  conscious  that 
the  end  was  fast  approaching ;  but,  as  he  spoke,  an  expres 
sion  of  heavenly  peace  spread  over  his  countenance  :  it 
was  evident  that  he  longed  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ. 

Taking  a  book  from  beneath  his  cushion,  he  remarked, 
"  Next  to  my  Bible,  this  is  precious  to  my  soul.  I  am  now 
reading  it  through  for  the  third  time ;  and  it  seems  to  me 
that  the  man  who  wrote  it  must  have  been  inspired."  It 
was  a  worn  copy  of  Baxter's  "  Saints'  Rest,"  in  Armenian. 
When  told  that  the  "  saint  " — who  had  been  in  the  actual 
enjoyment  of  that  "  rest  "  for  nearly  two  hundred  years — 
wrote  the  book  when  on  his  sick-bed,  with  heaven  full  in 
view,  he  was  greatly  interested,  and  exclaimed,  "  I  shall  meet 
him  there,  and  will  tell  him  how  it  has  comforted  and  helped 
me  in  my  pilgrimage  to  the  Celestial  City !"  After  a  few 
moments'  conversation  in  Turkish  with  Mrs.  Barnum,  he 
turned  to  me,  and  said,  "  Egoosh  was  here  the  other  even 
ing,  and  told  us  many  things  that  he  saw  in  America  while 
there  with  Mrs.  Walker  and  her  children — the  broad,  clean 
streets,  the  beautiful  houses  and  furniture,  the  roads  and 
carriages  and  railways,  the  churches,  and  khans  (hotels),  like 
palaces,  the  farms  and  gardens  and  shops  and  school-houses. 
Such  comfort,  purity,  and  wealth  !  It  was  wonderful ;  and, 
as  I  listened,  I  thought  after  this  manner :  *  What  must 
heaven  be  ?'  If  he  should  tell  all  this  to  a  poor,  miserable 
Koord,  who  had  never  seen  or  heard  of  anything  better 
than  his  hole  in  the  ground,  what  idea  would  he  get  ?  Just 
none  at  all :  you  might  as  well  describe  the  light  to  a  blind 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN    ARMENIA.  569 

man.  And  then  I  said  to  myself,  '  So  little  can  /  under 
stand  of  Heaven  ;  but,  thanks  to  God,  through  the  blood  of 
His  dear  Son  I  shall  one  day  see  and  know  it  all  for  myself!'  " 

And  he  too  has  gone  ;  the  grave,  for  which  he  prepared 
so  serenely,  as  for  a  journey,  has  hid  him  from  our  sight ; 
but  we  miss  that  patriarchal  form,  the  benign  and  striking 
face,  with  its  flowing  white  beard,  which  never  failed  to  com 
mand  respect  and  veneration.  He  has  seen  the  Savior  by 
whose  sacrifice  he  was  redeemed,  and  the  servant  of  God, 
who  little  dreamed  when  doing  his  last  earthly  work  (as  he 
thought),  that  souls  would  come  up  from  every  nation 
through  all  time,  to  enjoy  that  "  Rest,"  and  bless  him  for 
inspiring  them  to  seek  it  yet  more  earnestly. 

Haji  Hagop  was  an  early  convert,  and  a  pioneer  in  the 
work  of  evangelizing  his  countrymen.  His  dignified  bear 
ing  and  unquestioned  piety,  combined  with  a  sound  judg 
ment  and  evenly-balanced  mind,  rendered  him  invaluable 
as  a  helper ;  he  was  known  as  a  "  peace-maker,"  and  his 
counsel  was  widely  sought  by  the  Protestants  and  others. 
But  when  the  infirmities  of  age  prevented  active  service, 
and  funds  were  low,  the  missionaries  were  obliged  to  cut  off 
his  small  monthly  allowance.  "  Haji  Baba,"  or  Father,  as  he 
was  called,  took  this  very  meekly,  and  gave  himself  the  more 
earnestly  "  unto  prayer."  A  few  months  later,  a  letter  was 
received  from  an  unknown  friend  in  Holland,  who  had  acci- 
dently  seen  a  brief  account  of  the  circumstance  in  an  Eng 
lish  periodical,  and  was  moved  to  send  to  the  missionaries 
the  sum  necessary  for  the  support  of  the  good  man.*  This 


*This  remarkable  provision  of  Providence,  recalls  the  experience 
of  a  missionary  widow  of  the  American  Board,  who,  with  her  children, 
had  returned  to  her  native  land  :  Eight  or  ten  years  had  passed,  and 


5/0  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

he  continued  to  remit  every  quarter,  till  the  very  time  when 
it  was  no  longer  needed ;  and  then  it  suddenly  ceased,  and 
letters  of  inquiry  failed  to  meet  a  response,  as  formerly, 
(in  the  quaint  and  charming  utterances  of  a  child-like,  Chris 
tian  heart  and  mind),  forcing  upon  us  the  conviction  that 
the  benefactor  also  had  ended  his  earthly  mission,  and  "  en 
tered  into  rest." 

A   MONTHLY   COX  CERT  OF  PRAYER  FOR  J\IISSIOATS. 

Last  evening  I  attended  an  exceedingly  interesting  mis 
sionary  concert.  Would  that  all  who  pray  for  Zion  could 
have  the  privilege  of  witnessing  such  a  scene — a  live  mission 
ary  meeting  on  missionary  ground  !  It  was  held  at  the  close 
of  a  day  of  special  prayer  for  the  outpouring  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  as  both  congregations  of  the  city  united  on  the 
occasion,  there  was  a  goodly  assembly  of  Christian  men  and 
women,  who  have  learned  to  pray,  "  Thy  kingdom  come." 

After  the  opening  exercises,  Mr.  Wheeler  gave  a  most 
graphic  and  interesting  sketch  of  the  thirty-seven  days' 
tour  from  which  he  and  his  associates  had  lately  returned  (in 
connection  with  the  Meeting  of  the  "  Evangelical  Union  " 


one  day,  (at  the  very  time  when  she  was  praying  for  means  to  carry 
one  of  her  sons  through  a  medical  course,  and  another  through  col 
lege,)  the  "old  king"  of  Siam  was  walking  and  talking  with  a  mis 
sionary  interpreter,  when  without  any  previous  allusion  to  the  sub 
ject,  he  suddenly  stopped  and  said,  "  liy  the  way,  where  is  Mrs.  Cas- 
vvell?  I  wish  to  send  her  some  money  !" — Mr.  Caswcll  was  the  king's 
first  teacher  in  English,  and  he  had  seemed  fond  of  him,  but  for  years 
had  not  mentioned  his  name.  The  missionary  (who  had  come  at  a 
later  day)  informed  the  king  how  lie  might  safely  transmit  the  money  ; 
and  he  sent  Mrs.  C.  a  draft  for  $1,500,  which  was  promptly  paid, 
causing  the  "  widow's  heart  to  sing  for  joy."  This  was  subsequently 
followed  by  $500,  in  addition,  with  the  photographs  of  the  royal  fam 
ily.  Truly,  "  the  king's  heart  is  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord." 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  571 

at  Diarbekir,  which  was  largely  attended  by  the  pastors, 
helpers,  and  other  delegates  from  the  churches  throughout 
the  field,  besides  a  number  of  the  Harpoot  theological  stu 
dents,  to  whom  the  journey  and  its  attendant  opportunities 
proved  a  peripatetic  school  of  no  ordinary  instruction  and 
influence  upon  their  future  course).  At  Choonkoosh,  two 
days'  journey  from  Harpoot,  many  of  the  people  came  an 
hour's  distance  to  meet  and  welcome  them,  and  crowds 
escorted  them  triumphantly  into  the  city.  "  Nine  years 
ago,"  said  Mr.  Wheeler,  "  I  made  my  first  visit  to  Choon 
koosh,  in  company  with  Brother  Dunmore ;  and  we  were 
hooted  at,  stoned,  and  at  last  driven  from  our  room  in  the 
pouring  rain  and  splashing  mud  of  a  dark  night !"  Now, 
every  house  seemed  open  to  receive  them,  and  had  there 
been  a  hundred,  instead  of  forty-five  or  fifty  men,  they 
would  have  been  amply  accommodated.  Here  they  found 
a  large  and  expensive  house  of  worship,  built  by  the  peo 
ple.  The  men  had  brought  all  the  timber  by  hand,  a  dis 
tance  of  from  three  to  five  miles.  It  sometimes  required 
thirty  men  to  bring  one  stick.  Women  and  children  brought 
water  and  earth  and  stones,  and  what  is  still  more  wonder 
ful,  Armenians  of  the  Old  Church,  and  even  Turks,  lent  a 
willing  hand  in  bringing  materials  for  this  temple  of  the 
Lord.  A  Turk,  who  was  at  the  same  time  erecting  a  mosque, 
expressed  great  surprise  at  this  ;  for,  said  he,  "  I  can  scarcely 
get  my  work  done  for  money,  and  yet  the  people  help  build 
the  Protestant  meeting-house  for  nothing."  Women  were 
still  busy  plastering  the  walls,  but  they  hastened  to  finish 
their  work  that  a  meeting  might  be  held  there  for  the  first 
time.  It  would  not  be  strange  if  some  of  these  women  were 
among  the  most  bitter  and  fierce  of  the  noisy  mob  of  nine 


572  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


years  ago.  What  a  contrast !  Is  not  this  one  triumph  of 
truth  sufficient  to  rejoice  the  heart  of  every  Christian  who 
has  prayed  and  labored  for  the  establishment  of  Christ's 
kingdom  in  Turkey  ?  But  while  \ve  exult  in  the  abundant 
blossoming  of  trees  which  give  promise  of  a  rich  harvest, 
we  will  not  forget  the  patient  toil  of  the  husbandman,  the 
"  sowing  with  tears,"  digging  deep,  and  enriching  the  soil 
with  new  elements,  that  they  "  might  have  life,  and  that  they 
might  have  it  more  abundantly,"  according  to  the  word  of  the 
Master.  The  chapel  at  Choonkoosh  is  infinitely  more  pre 
cious  to  the  people  because  it  has  cost  them  much  toil  and 
self-denial;  and  to  us  it  is  beyond  price,  as  a  monument  of 
God's  grace. 

When  the  band  of  Sowers  and  Reapers  went  on  their  way, 
they  came  to  a  town  where  were  twenty-five  Protestants  who 
much  desired  a  house  of  worship,  but  professed  great  pov 
erty.  Like  too  many  communities,  they  looked  upon  the 
American  Board  as  a  nursing  mother,  who  would  always 
supply  their  wants  ;  whereas  the  missionaries  are  fully  con 
vinced  that  if  ever  this  people  are  to  attain  to  a  true,  vigor 
ous,  Christian  manhood,  they  must  "  bear  the  yoke  in  their 
youth."  They  made  no  promises  of  aid,  but  quietly  obtained 
some  facts  respecting  those  men,  and  when  the  subject  was 
renewed  at  a  meeting  held  there,  said  to  them :  "  You 
say  you  are  poor,  and  unable  to  pay  anything  for  the  support 
of  the  Gospel ;  but  how  is  it  that  you  expend  two  thousand 
piastres  a  year  for  tobacco  ?"  That  argument  could  not  be 
disputed,  and  brought  them  up  to  their  duty. 

At  another  place  the  same  doleful  cry  of  poverty  was 
uttered;  but  when  other  means  had  failed,  the  Apostolic 
"  rod  "  was  applied,  by  saying:  "You  must  pay  a  certain 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  573 


proportion  of  the  preacher's  expenses,  or  we  shall  take  him 
away !  "  This  opened  their  purses  at  once,  and  it  seemed 
that  hearts  were  really  enlarged  by  the  process.  The  test  is 
one  which  helps  clear  the  ground  of  dead  trees,  and  lets  in 
more  of  light  and  heat  from  the  Sun  of  Righteousness. 

The  most  interesting  feature  of  the  Union  Meeting  at 
Diarbekir  was  the  opening  up  of  a  new  missionary  enter 
prise,  undertaken  by  the  people.  One  of  the  missionaries  was 
just  penning  a  subject  for  the  docket  to  this  effect :  "  How 
shall  we  care  for  the  evangelization  of  the  Koordish-speak- 
ing  Armenians  ?"  when  blind  Hohannes,  a  graduate  of  the 
Harpoot  Seminary,  arose  and  said  :  "  My  heart  is  pained  at 
the  condition  of  that  large  class  of  our  people  who  dwell 
among  the  Koords."  After  some  discussion,  it  was  resolved 
to  seek  out  and  educate  five  men,  who  should  afterwards 
return  to  labor  among  their  people.  Forty-three  dollars 
'were  raised  on  the  spot,  and  the  holy  fire  soon  caught  every 
heart.  Diarbekir,  Mardin,  and  vicinity,  pledged  the  sup 
port  of  two  men  ;  Harpoot,  Arabkir,  and  the  villages  of  the 
plain,  that  of  the  remaining  three.*  And  now  God's  serv 
ants  saw,  with  unspeakable  joy,  a  natural,  spontaneous  out 
growth,  which  betokened  just  the  development  of  Christian 
graces  that  they  most  longed  to  see  in  these  infant  churches. 

Leaving  Diarbekir,  the  delegation  visited  several  out- 
stations,  after  which  three  missionaries  and  two  of  the  native 
helpers  made  a  rapid  survey  of  a  part  of  Koordistan.  There 


*  It  was  a  source  of  great  joy  to  learn  that  the  "  Diarbekir  boys/' 
too  impatient  to  wait  for  these  men  to  be  educated,  themselves 
selected  a  man,  put  their  piastres  together  to  support  him,  and  sent 
him  to  Redwan  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  Armenian,  Assyrian, 
Turkish,  and  Yezidee  population  of  that  town.  See  "Ten  Years  on 
the  Euphrates,"  p.  247. 


574  TIIE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

was  no  time  in  this  missionary  concert  to  speak  of  the  an 
cient  ruins  scattered  along  their  pathway  on  this  tour — the 
foot -prints  of  ancient  kings,  found  in  inscriptions  upon 
tablets  of  rock  among  the  everlasting  hills — but  there  were 
present  two  of  the  men  whom  the  people  were  to  educate, 
living  specimens  of  God's  handiwork,  far  more  interesting 
to  us  all  than  any  memento  of  past  ages.  These  were  intro 
duced  to  the  meeting,  and  addressed  us  in  their  own  tongue, 
Pastor  Marderos  acting  as  interpreter.  It  was  delightful 
to  see  the  eager  interest  with  which  our  people  looked  at 
and  listened  to  these  men,  as  they  told  us,  in  few  words,  of 
the  darkness  that  reigned  among  them.  As  they  stood  there, 
dressed  in  their  shaggy  sheepskin  coats,  with  high,  rough  black 
hats  of  the  same  material,  and  spoke  in  an  unknown  tongue,  it 
was  difficult  to  realize  that  the  people  whom  they  addressed 
were  themselves  the  subjects  of  missionary  effort.  It  was 
indeed  a  "  wheel  within  a  wheel."  "  Now,"  said  Mr.  Whee 
ler,  "  that  you  have  entered  upon  a  missionary  work  of  your 
own,  you  can  more  fully  sympathize  with  us  in  some  of  our 
trials."  When  asked  if  they  would  renew  their  pledge  to 
support  these  men  and  their  families,  every  hand  was  raised 
— indeed,  some  put  up  both  hands. 

The  pastor  then  gave  us  deeply  interesting  information 
respecting  another  race,  also  dwelling  among  the  Koords 
and  speaking  their  language ;  a  nation  of  heathen  sunk  in 
the  lowest  and  most  degrading  forms  of  idolatry;  for  the 
Yezidees,  as  they  are  called,  worship  the  Devil.  They  are 
the  descendants  of  an  ancient  Persian  race,  and  it  is  said 
number  one  hundred  thousand.  Their  symbol  is  the  Pea 
cock,  an  image  of  which  they  worship  at  their  "  sacred 
shrine,"  and  they  also  have  a  sacred  fire.  The  doctrines  of 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  5/5 


this  devil-worship  are  just  what  we  might  expect.  "  Our 
priests,"  they  say,  "  teach  us  that  it  is  essential  to  manhood 
to  lie,  steal,  murder,  and,  in  fact,  be  dogs.*  One  can 
not  be  considered  a  man  until  he  has  killed  some  one  !  '' 
This  class  of  pagans  can  also  be  reached  by  the  new  instru 
mentality  soon  to  be  prepared  in  the  Harpoot  schools,  if 
God  do  but  grant  His  blessing. 

Five  or  six  brief,  earnest  prayers  followed  this  account, 
and  never  did  the  Missionary  Hymn  sound  sweeter  than 
when  it  welled  up  from  hearts  newly  quickened  to  give  the 
"lamp  of  life  to  souls  benighted." 

THE  REVIVAL;    A.   PENTECOSTAL   SEASON. 

Months  have  come  and  gone,  bringing  fresh  changes  to 
our  little  band  of  missionary  brothers  and  sisters.  Scon 
after  Mrs.  Walker's  bereavement,  she  came  to  Harpoot 
with  her  orphaned  children,  and  tarried  r.mong  us  a  few 
short  weeks :  And  when  she  returned  to  her  solitary  and 
desolated  home,  she  was  accompanied  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Williams, — for  Miss  Pond  has  turned  aside  from  the  school, 
to  enter  upon  another  mission,  "  ordained  of  God," — and 
the  door  of  my  release  for  a  season  of  rest,  is  still  more 
closely  shut ! 

But  we  are  enjoying  a  precious  visitation  from  on  high, 
and  God  is  powerfully  working  in  our  midst ; — such  a  work 
as  my  eyes  never  before  witnessed  in  this  land !  How  we 
have  longed  to  see  such  an  awakening ;  a  genuine  work  of 


*  The  word  dog  is,  in  Armenian,  synonymous  with  adulterer;  in 
fact,  the  noun  is  formed  from  that  word  ;  therefore  the  Scripture 
injunction,  "  Beware  of  dogs,"  literally  refers  to  men  of  vile  and  dis 
solute  lives. 


576  THE   ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 


the  Spirit,  which  should  sweep  away  all  the  refuges  of  lies, 
and  cobwebs  of  superstition  which  hide  the  truth  from  so 
many  hearts  among  this  people  !  And  now  it  has  come ; — 
first  in  the  hearts  of  God's  people,  then  reaching  those  out 
side,  rebuking  our  want  of  faith,  and  bringing  us  down  into 
the  dust  at  the  Master's  feet,  that  all  the  glory  may  redound 
to  His  holy  name,  who  has  "  visited  this  people  with  His 
salvation!"  The  windows  of  heaven  are  opened  wide,  and 
blessings  descending  upon  the  Church  of  Christ  in  this  city, 
are  overflowing  into  the  villages  of  the  plain.  This  blessed 
"  time  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  "  com 
menced  during  the  "  week  of  prayer,"  in  January. 

The  snow  lay  thickly  upon  the  ground  as  we  left  our 
dwelling  for  the  place  of  prayer,  just  after  sunrise,  yesterday 
— Monday — morning.  As  we  entered  the  room,  we  saw  that 
every  head  was  bowed,  as  if  in  secret  devotion.  Pastor 
Mardcros  was  at  the  desk,  and  about  twenty  men  were 
seated  on  the  floor,  the  solemn  and  impressive  stillness  only 
broken  by  the  coming  in  of  others,  till  the  large  room  was 
well  filled  ;  and  all  seemed  to  feel  that  God  was  in  the  midst. 
More  than  an  hour  was  spent  in  prayer,  and  praise,  thanks 
giving,  and  confession  of  sin, — the  subjects  for  the  day.  We 
felt  that  it  was  good  to  be  there,  good  to  unite  in  the  fervent 
petitions  of  those  Christian  brethren,  good  to  share  in  the 
heavenly  atmosphere  which  seemed  to  pervade  the  place. 

Soon  after  noon  there  was  a  special  gathering  of  the  sis 
ters  of  the  Harpoot  church  (which  numbers  about  one  hun 
dred  members).  The  sno\v  fell  fast,  and  the  pathways  were 
much  blocked  up ;  but  there  were  twenty  of  us  gathered  in 
an  "  upper  room  "  for  prayer  and  conference.  After  refer 
ence  had  been  made  to  the  special  subjects  of  prayer  for  the 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  577 

clay,  one  of  the  mothers  in  this  Israel  led  us  to  the  Master's 
feet,  in  a  prayer  which  came  warm  and  glowing  from  the 
heart.  The  passage  in  Malachi  was  then  read,  where  those 
that  "  feared  the  Lord  "  are  represented  as  speaking  often 
one  to  another,  and  the  sisters  were  urged  to  do  likewise, — 
to  confess  their  faults  and  open  their  hearts  to  each  other. 
After  a  moment's  silence,  the  wife  of  the  head-man  of  the 
Protestant  community  told  us  of  the  visits  which  she  had  lately 
made  to  three  or  four  villages,  expressly  to  benefit  the  wom 
en  there.  This  was  from  the  promptings  of  her  own  heart, — 
her  desire  to  serve  Christ  and  save  souls, — as  she  has  no 
children  to  keep  her  at  home.  With  much  simplicity  and 
modesty  she  spoke  of  the  meetings  she  had  held  in  those 
villages,  how  the  room  would  sometimes  be  so  crowded  that 
the  women  would  have  to  stand  and  hold  their  babes  in  their 
arms.  She  had  counted  seventy  women  at  some  of  these 
meetings ; — poor,  hard-working  women,  mostly  dependent 
on  their  daily  labor  for  daily  bread,  yet  willingly  leaving  their 
carding,  spinning,  weaving,  or  other  work,  to  come  and  hear 
the  words  of  life. 

On  one  occasion,  she  said,  she  had  just  mounted 
her  horse  to  leave  a  village,  when  a  number  of  these  poor 
souls  followed  her  some  distance,  and  her  heart  was  melted 
at  the  cry  of  an  aged  woman,  who,  with  tears  rolling  down 
her  wrinkled  face,  and  hands  outstretched  as  if  for  help, 
continually  exclaimed  :  "  What  shall  I  do?  O/i,  what  shall 
I  do  to  be  saved?"  And  in  every  village  they  entreated  that 
she  would  soon  come  again  to  teach  them. 

As  this  good  sister  finished  her  story,  I  said  to  her — "  And 
you,  did  _>'<?#  not  receive  a  blessing  also,  Eughaper?    Did  not 
your  own  soul   get  warmed   in   thus   working  for  others?" 
25 


5/8  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


"Oh,  yes!"  she  answered,  with  beaming  face,  "  I  never  be 
fore  experienced  such  joy,  such  happiness  !  When  I  first 
proposed  going,  some  of  my  friends  opposed  me  on  account 
of  my  poor  health,  but  although  the  weather  was  cold,  it  has 
been  with  me  just  the  same  as  at  home.  God  has  taken 
care  of  my  health,  and  given  me  this  joy  beside.''  (I  after 
wards  learned,  that  when  this  good  woman  spoke  to  her  ex 
cellent  Christian  husband  about  her  plan,  he  demurred 
because  of  her  feebleness,  saying,  "  I  am  afraid  to  have  you 
thus  exposed  in  cold  weather;  you  may  die  !"  "Ah,  yes  !  t? 
she  answered,  "  I  m.iy  soon  die^  and  that  is  one  reason  why  I 
wish  to  go !) 

One  can  imagine  the  overflowing  joy  with  which  we  mis 
sionary  sisters  listened  to  this  simple  recital ;  feeling  that  the 
influence  of  such  a  woman,  in  labors  among  her  own  people, 
— self-moved,  or,  rather,  moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit, — is  above 
all  price  ;  worth  far  more  than  our  own  efforts,  for  she  is  one 
of  themselves,  has  a  perfect  understanding  of  their  circum 
stances,  mode  of  thought,  customs,  and  habits,  and  can 
make  the  most  ignorant  understand  the  language  she  speaks, 
since  it  is  her  own  tongue  ! 

This  joy  was  greatly  enhanced  in  my  own  mind  when 
Mrs.  Wheeler  remarked,  with  emotion  :  "  While  our  sister 
was  telling  us  of  her  work  among  the  village  women,  my 
mind  went  back  to  the  first  years  of  our  own  work  in  this 
city,  when  Mrs.  Allen  and  I  labored  to  persuade  her  to 
Icirn  to  read,  and  sought  to  bring  her  under  the  influence 
of  the  Gospel  !"  The  tears  started  to  Eughaper's  eyes  as 
she  nodded  assent.  Mrs.  Wheeler  then  proceeded  to  urge 
upon  that  band  of  Christian  women  the  necessity  of 
personal  consecration,  in  labor  for  individual  souls, • — at 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  579 

home,  in  their  families  and  neighborhoods, — as  well  as 
without. 

The  ice  was  now  broken,  and  one  sister  after  another  spoke 
of  her  trials  or  hindrances,  her  lack  of  faith  and  love.  One, 
a  woman  of  influence,  two  of  whose  grown-up  children  are 
graduates  of  our  two  schools,  and  both  in  the  Lord's  work, 
spoke  with  an  almost  broken  heart  of  her  unconverted  hus 
band, — of  his  becoming  more  and  more  wedded  to  the 
world,  and  of  his  influence  upon  their  younger  children. 
She  begged  most  earnestly  the  prayers  of  all,  and  now  that 
her  mouth  was  opened,  could  hardly  stop  speaking.  With 
tearful  eyes  the  little  company  promised  to  make  special 
supplication  for  that  house.  After  several  ineffectual  at 
tempts,  a  poor  blind  girl  addressed  us.  She  said  :  "  My 
sisters,  you  know  that  I  am  but  one  alone  in  our  house.  I 
have  none  to  sympathize  with  me.  Sometimes  I  am  not  al 
lowed  to  go  to  God's  house.  Pray  for  me,  that  I  may 
patiently  suffer  the  Lord's  will,  and  glorify  my  Father  in 
heaven." 

One  whom  we  have  always  esteemed  more  spiritually- 
minded  than  most  of  our  women,  told  us  of  the  conflict 
which  had  disturbed  her  peace  of  mind  for  months  past.  In 
consequence  of  a  difficulty  between  herself  and  a  neighbor, 
also  a  member  of  the  church,  a  "  root  of  bitterness  "  had 
sprung  up  in  her  heart.  Her  sad  face  showed  something  of 
the  struggle  she  had  undergone  before  pride  would  yield  the 
contest.  This  was  followed  by  another  and  yet  another 
confession  on  the  part  of  the  sisters,  mingled  with  petitions 
to  the  throne  of  grace. 

Another  interesting  feature  of  our  meeting  was  the  pres 
ence  of  the  preacher's  wife,  from  the  other  part  of  the  city. 


580  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


Horopsima  has  no  children  at  home,  and  goes  from  house  to 
house  reading  and  teaching  God's  Word  as  she  has  opportu 
nity.  She  asked  our  prayers,  that  the  good  seed  might  be 
watered  by  the  Holy  Spirit, — that  her  labors  might  not  be  a 
curse  instead  of  a  blessing. 

Prayer  was  also  requested  for  Maranos,  our  good  assistant 
in  the  Training-school,  who  is  spending  the  Winter  vacation 
in  visiting  many  of  the  villages  in  this  vicinity.  She  spends 
a  couple  of  weeks  at  each  place,  making  her  home  with  the 
helper's  wife,  and  working  with  her,  visiting  among  the  fami 
lies,  and  holding  meetings  for  the  women  and  girls.  Her 
letters  are  full  of  joy  in  the  Lord's  work,  and  encouragement 
for  our  faith  in  prayer. 

When  the  meeting  closed,  we  found  that  we  had  been  to 
gether  more  than  two  hours ;  but  even  then  it  was  with  reluc 
tance  that  we  separated.  Our  hearts  were  warmed  toward 
each  other.  We  felt  more  truly  that  we  all  belonged  to  the 
One  Great  Family  of  Christ.  It  was  pleasant  to  note  the 
lingering  of  these  Christian  sisters,  to  speak  with  one  ant- 
other,  and  to  get  a  little  closer  to  their  teachers,  or  "  mother sj* 
as  they  often  style  the  missionary  ladies.  As  one  after  an 
other  came  to  me,  and  I  clasped  her  hand  (for  these  Arme 
nian  women  seldom  do  this,  unless  we  make  the  advance, 
confining  themselves  to  their  own  graceful  salaam),  my  heart 
was  full  : — for  earth  can  yield  no  purer  joy  than  the  con 
sciousness  that  Christ  is  using  us  in  His  highest,  holiest  ser 
vice.  And  the  more  we  serve  Him,  the  more  deeply  do  we 
feel  that  without  His  ABIDING  PRESENCE  AND  POWER  IN  us, 
we  can  do  nothing  !  As  often  in  years  gone  by  (when  God 
was  working  in  our  school  at  Hasskeuy),  I  have  almost 
feared  to  write  an  account  of  that  which  so  rejoiced  our 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN    ARMENIA.  581 


hearts,  lest,  from  the  magnifying  of  means  employed  by  the 
Master,  or  a  glorying  in  human  instrumentalities,  the  Spirit 
should  be  grieved,  and  withdraw  His  gracious  presence : — 
Sometimes  my  pen  has  been  stayed  as  if  by  an  unseen  hand  ! 

B  A  SI  LOS  A  Gil  A. 

It  was  Saturday  ;  the  last  day  of  the  "  week  of  prayer  "  in 
January,  when  we  four  missionary  sisters,  and  one  brother, 
were  gathered  for  our  daily  noon  season  of  united  supplica 
tion  in  our  mother-tongue,  for  the  outpouring  of  God's 
Spirit  upon  the  people  of  Harpoot.  Mr.  Barnum  and  Mr. 
Wheeler  were  laboring  among  the  villages  on  the  plain,  and 
Mr.  Allen  urged  that,  as  he  alone  was  left  to  conduct  the 
meeting,  the  "  sisters  "  should  also  take  an  active  part.  This 
we  had  never  yet  done, — for  the  Presbyterian  and  Congre 
gational  Churches  in  which  we  had  been  trained  at  home, 
did  not  advocate  the  speaking  and  praying  of  Christian 
women,  in  "mixed"  assemblies.*  But  our  brother's  kindly 
plea,  and  incontestable  argument,  was  conclusive ;  and  Mrs. 
Wheeler  broke  the  ice,  followed  by  the  rest  of  us,  with 


*  Perhaps  one  overlooked  source  of  the  prosperity  and  strength  of 
the  Baptist  and  Methodist  branches  of  the  one  Church  of  Christ,  is 
owing  to  the  education  and  ^ltilization  of  womanly  talent,  by  means  of 
"  class  "  and  "  covenant  meetings,"  where,  as  in  ^.family,  the  members 
are,  from  the  beginning  of  their  Christian  life,  expected  to  speak  to 
each  other,  and  to  God,  of  that  which  is  to  them  of  supreme  interest. 
The  things  pertaining  to  religion,  personal  experience,  and  the  power 
of  the  Word,  are  not  tabooed  and  shut  away  from  sight  and  hearing, 
to  smoulder  in  secret  for  want  of  contact  with  the  warmth  and  glow 
of  other  hearts:  And  though  there  may  be  abuses  of  this  method,  it 
seems  the  great  desideratum  of  the  Christian  Church  at  the  present 
day.  The  words  of  our  Savior  to  Mary  at  the  sepulchre,  stand  as 
an  eternal  testimony  to  His  approval  and  use  of  this  power  in  the 
Church  (in  all  womanly  ways),  of  proclaiming  Him,  who  is  the  "  Res- 


582  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

hearts  humbled  and  willing  to  do  any  and  everything  which 
should  remove  impediments  out  of  the  way,  for  the  com 
ing  of  our  King ! — As  yet  we  had  seen  no  tokens  of  the 
Spirit's  working  outside  of  the  Church. 

On  that  very  day,  Basilos  Agha,  an  Armenian  broker  of 
wealth  and  influence,  was  sitting  alone  in  his  office,  when 
suddenly,  as  by  a  mighty  rushing  wind,  he  was  overwhelmed 
with  a  conviction  of  his  sinfulness  before  God !  He  was 
about  thirty  years  of  age ;  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
intelligence,  had  traveled  extensively,  and  was  imbued  with 
French  infidelity.  But  being  anxious  for  the  elevation  of 
his  people,  retained  his  connection  with  the  "  Liberal  party  " 
of  the  Armenian  Church,  advocating  the  sweeping  away 
of  old  superstitions  and  forms,  and  giving,  instead  of  the 
Bible,  the  teaching  of  Aristotle,  and  other  ancient  philoso 
phers.  He  made  the  acquaintance  of  Pastor  Marderos  and 
his  intelligent  wife  ;  and,  partly  from  curiosity,  and  partly 
from  a  desire  for  increasing  his  information,  sometimes 
sought  their  home,  occasionally  attending  a  preaching  ser 
vice  in  the  chapel.  But  his  proud  spirit  scorned  the  hum- 


urrection  and  the  Life."  And  it  is  interesting  to  know  that  women 
thus  trained  in  early  years,  occupy  in  the  American  Baptist  Mission, 
posts  of  great  usefulness.  Mrs.  Wade  (from  whose  lips,  when  but  a 
child,  I  received  indelible  impressions)  was  at  one  time  the  teacher  of 
"  Pastoral  Theology"  to  a  class  of  young  Karens,  besides  translating 
various  books,  etc.,  etc.,  while  "  making  it  her  first  duty  and  pleasure 
to  care  for  her  husband,  anticipating  his  every  wish  in  the  cheerful, 
comfortable  home  where  she  so  efficiently  and  economically  guided 
her  well-ordered  household."  And  other  ladies  (unmarried,  or  wid 
ows)  of  acknowledged  wisdom,  and  tried  experience,  belonging  to 
that  Mission,  stand  at  the  head  of  important  Stations,  are  consulted 
by  the  brethren  on  all  questions  of  moment,  and  have  a  voice,  and 
sometimes  a  casting  vote,  in  business  matters  of  the  greatest  impor 
tance. 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  583 

bling  doctrines  of  the  Cross,  and  he  seemed  very  far  from 
the  kingdom  of  Christ.  Now,  however,  the  Spirit  of  God 
was  powerfully  striving  with  his  soul,  and  closing  his  office, 
he  went  home.  His  young  wife  was  alarmed  at  his  appear 
ance,  and  at  once  supposed  that  he  had  heard  bad  news 
from  their  distant  relatives.  But  to  her  eager  inquiries,  he 
only  answered,  "No,  no;  it  is  my  sins,  my  sins!"  "Your 
sins!  Nonsense  I"  she  scornfully  replied.  But  the  strong 
man  was  bowed  in  anguish,  and  when,  for  the  first  time, 
she  saw  him  weep,  she  was  amazed.  Lifting  his  head,  he 
said,  "  I  wish  you  would  go  and  call  the  pastor."  As  she 
wrapped  herself  in  her  veil,  she  murmured,  "  He  has  lied 
to  me,  and  now  I'll  deceive  him !"  And  when,  on  her  return, 
he  inquired,  "Is  he  coming?"  she  said,  "No;  he  says  he 
won't  come  !"  Then,  thinking  himself  forsaken  by  God  and 
man,  he  turned  to  the  Bible  so  long  despised ;  the  first  pass 
age  upon  which  his  eye  fell,  was  the  parable  of  the  barren 
fig-tree;  and  as  he  read  the  sentence  pronounced  by  the 
Savior,  "  Let  no  fruit  grow  on  henceforward  for  ever !" 
he  groaned  aloud  in  despair :  "/  am  that  accursed  tree ! 
I  have  never  borne  any  fruit  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  now 
my  condemnation  is  sealed."  His  agony  increased,  and 
while  he  sat  there,  the  pastor  came  in,  and  seeing  his  dis 
tress,  anxiously  inquired  the  cause.  The  Agha  could  not 
speak,  but  pointed  with  his  finger  to  the  fearful  word  of 
condemnation,  and  the  pastor  also  wept. 

For  a  week  his  sins  were  set  before  him  in  black  array, 
and  he  found  no  peace  by  night  or  day,  till  he  finally  re 
solved  that  he  would  serve  the  Lord,  whether  He  saved  him 
or  not !  And  one  day,  when  he  was  pleading  with  an  Ar 
menian  who  had  rejected  the  divinity  of  Christ  (the  first 


584  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

case  the  missionaries  had  ever  known  among  that  people), 
light  broke  in  upon  his  own  soul,  and  a  flood-tide  of  joy 
such  as  he  had  never  before  experienced.  What  a  trans 
formation !  He  had  bowed  the  pinions  of  his  soul  low  at 
the  foot  of  the  Cross,  and  one  touch  of  Infinite  Love  con 
ferred  nobler  honors  and  privileges  than  earthly  potentates 
can  bestow;  the  once  proud  and  haughty  worldling  arose 
a  "  Son  of  the  King,"  a  prince  of  the  Royal  Family  !  He 
was  a  man  of  noble  and  commanding  presence ;  but  now 
his  face  glowed  with  a  light  and  beauty  that  made  one  think 
of  Moses  coming  down  from  the  Mount  where  he  had  com 
muned  with  God ! 

The  news  of  this  wonderful,  this  incomprehensible  change 
that  had  come  over  Basilos  Agha,  created  a  wide-spread  sen 
sation  through  the  town. 

It  was  rumored  that  he  was  going  to  tell  about  this  new 
experience, — so  strange  and  unaccountable  to  his  old  com 
panions, — and  on  that  evening  they  flocked  to  the  chapel 
to  hear  what  he  would  have  to  say  for  himself:  Men  of 
rank  and  power  who  had  never  before  entered  that  place 
of  worship.  From  our  seats  in  the  corner  next  the  desk,  we 
saw  those  Turkish  and  Armenian  grandees  sweeping  in 
with  an  air  of  lofty  pride  and  arrogance.  The  brethren  gave 
them  the  seats  of  honor,  near  the  front;  and  soon  the  chapel, 
which  was  capable  of  accommodating  from  five  to  seven 
hundred  people,  was  closely  packed  (the  dispensing  with 
pews  and  seating  the  people  upon  the  floor,  being  a  great 
economy  of  space  in  church  erection).  After  the  opening 
exercises,  Basilos  Agha  stood  below  the  desk,  and  in  low, 
clear  tones  and  simple  language,  told  the  story  of  what 
God  had  done  ior  "  this  miserable  sinner."  And  then  with 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  585 

touching  pathcs,  and  an  eloquence  which  I  had  never 
heard  surpassed  (and  of  which  I  did  not  suppose  the  Ar 
menian  language  capable),  he  pleaded  with  his  country 
men  to  come  to  that  Savior  whom  he  had  so  lately  found. 
As  in  tones  trembling  with  suppressed  emotion,  he  dwelt 
upon  the  Love  which  he  had  found  so  unspeakably  precious — 
"  Sweeter  tJian  love  of  father,  or  love  of  mother,  or  love  of 
brother,  or  love  of  sister — this  love  of  Jesus  to  my  soul," — an 
electric  thrill  ran  through  that  spell-bound  audience.  One 
might  have  heard  the  beating  of  his  own  heart  in  the  im 
pressive  stillness;  and  when,  with  uncovered  heads,  the  peo 
ple  had  received  the  benediction,  those  haughty  Aghas  stole 
out  as  softly  as  if  they  had  been  in  the  Presence-Chamber 

of  the  most  high  God ! The  next  week  I  called  at  the 

house  of  Basilos  Agha,  and  with  a  face  shining  with  the  love 
and  peace  born  of  forgiveness  and  reconciliation  with  his 
heavenly  Father,  he  gave  me  the  early  history  of  his  life. 
When  but  a  lad,  his  father  (who  was  a  chief  man  in  an  interior 
town  of.  some  importance)  placed  him  with  an  Armenian 
banker  in  Aleppo,  to  learn  the  business.  He  was  about  fif 
teen  years  of  age,  when  for  the  first  time  he  saw  a  copy  of 
the  Testament  in  modern  Armenian,  and  read  the  story  of 
our  Savior's  life  and  sufferings.  It  had  a  powerful  effect 
upon  his  heart,  and  he  wept  convulsively  as  he  read  of  the 
agony  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane,  and  upon  the  cruel 
cross.  After  a  while,  desiring  to  see  whether  it  would 
again  produce  the  same  effect,  he  borrowed  the  Testa 
ment  of  a  Protestant,  and  it  moved  him  much  as  before.  He 
then  procured  from  the  same  source,  a  copy  of  "  Luder," — *. 
(Daubigne's  History  of  the  Reformation),  and  commence^ 
reading  it  aloud  to  the  banker's  wife;  but  her  husbancj 

25* 


586  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

coming  in  and  finding  the  book,  fiercely  took  it  away,  and 
effectually  stopped  all  intercourse  with  the  Protestants — 
filling  the  mind  of  the  youth  with  atheistic  principles : 
"And  yesterday,"  said  the  Agha,  his  eyes  kindling  with 
the  thought  of  his  new-found  treasure,  "  I  received  a  letter 
from  that  banker  in  which  he  sneeringly  writes, — *  We  hear 
that  you  have  accepted  the  doctrines  of  the  miserable 
fishermen  /'  "  How  those  words  carried  one  back  to  the 
times  of  our  Savior!  The  "offence  of  the  cross;"  still  the 
same,  and  will  ever  be,  while  human  hearts  remain  the 
same  ! 

We  heard  that  the  father  of  Basilos  Agha  was  coming  in 
wrath  to  take  away  the  wife  and  the  child  from  the  repro 
bate  son  who  had  forsaken  the  faith  of  his  people !  And 
our  hearts  were  deeply  touched  when  he  who  had  so  newly 
begun  the  Christian  life,  brought  his  first-born  to  the  altar 
for  baptism,*  and,  in  the  presence  of  God's  people,  cove 
nanted,  so  far  as  in  his  power,  to  train  the  child  for  God  and 
Heaven.  The  next  week  the  grandfather  came,  his  heart  full 
of  bitterness  and  rage,  to  break  up  the  little  family.  There 
were  those  among  the  Protestants  who  said,  "  Stand  up  for 


*  The  rite  of  baptism  was  about  the  same  time  administered  in 
the  Armenian  Church  to  a  Jew  who  professed  to  have  accepted  that 
faith.  The  form  was  that  practiced  by  the  Greek,  and  other  Eastern 
churches — which  we  once  witnessed  at  the  private  baptism  of  a  Greek 
child,  in  Smyrna — vix. :  triple  immersion,  all  but  the  head ;  also  triple 
pouring,  or  sprinkling,  besides  the  anointing  with  holy  oil,  and  the 
ceremony  of  exorcism,  when  the  god-mother,  with  the  infant  in  her 
arms,  turned  her  back  upon  the  little  company,  and  blew  and  spat 
upon  the  invisible  demon,  whom  the  priest  adjured  to  come  out  of  the 
child  !  The  whole  ceremony  ending  by  clothing  the  babe  in  pure 
white  garments,  betokening  the  righteousness  of  Christ  ;  in  which, 
now  cleansed  from  original  sin,  its  soul  was  said  to  be  arrayed  ! 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  587 

your  rights,  Basilos  Agha !  You  are  a  man !  Why  should 
your  father  trample  you  under  his  feet?"  And  he  made 
answer  thus :  "  Yes,  I  am  a  man  ;  but  I  am  also  a  son,  and  a 
Christian !  I  will  honor  my  father  as  becomes  a  Christian 
son,  and  by-and-by  he  too  may  be  persuaded  of  the  truth;" 
for  his  religion  had  taken  deep  hold  of  his  nature ;  it  had 
penetrated  to  the  very  roots  of  his  being ! — 

His  business  had  been  chiefly  that  of  lending  money  at 
the  exorbitant  rates  which  are  common  in  Turkey  :  Where 
the  law  allows  twelve  per  cent,  from  twenty  to  one  hundred 
per  cent,  is  demanded  by  men  who  have  no  fear  of  God 
before  their  eyes.*  Basilos  Agha  felt  that  he  could  no  longer 
pursue  a  business  which  was  so  contrary  to  the  teaching  of 
God's  Word,  and  decided  to  abandon  it ;  but  this  was  not 
enough  to  satisfy  his  awakened  conscience.  Like  Zaccheus, 
he  wished  to  restore  that  which  he  had  taken  unjustly,  and 
was  poring  over  his  account-books  for  that  purpose,  when  his 
partner  and  others  tried  in  vain  to  dissuade  him  from  what  they 
deemed  a  most  outrageous  piece  of  folly,  saying,  "  Do  as  you 
like  hereafter,  but  let  by-gones  be  by-gones,  and  don't  make  a 
fool  of  yourself."  This  partner,  who,  when  first  associated  with 
Basilos  Agha,  was  shocked  at  his  infidel  sentiments,  and,  al 
though  no  friend  of  the  Protestants,  advised  him  to  go  to  them 
and  procure  a  Bible,  which  should  prove  an  effectual  cure,  was 
himself  a  subject  of  the  strivings  of  God's  Spirit.  He  had 


*  There  were  "  bankers,  but  no  banking  system  in  Turkey,  so  that 
if  one  wished  to  transmit  money,  he  must  carry  it  in  person  at  the 
risk  of  robbery,  or  send  it  at  a  greater  risk  of  embezzlement."  The 
missionaries  at  Harpoot  first  introduced  "drafts"  upon  Constanti 
nople,  and  we  often  saw  men  coming  to  Mr.  Allen,  the  Station  treas 
urer,  with  great  bags  of  copper  coin  on  their  backs  to  be  exchanged 
for  such  "checks." 


588  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


been  greatly  enraged  at  the  turn  things  had  taken,  and  one 
day  when  intensely  excited,  used  the  vilest  language  of  abuse 
and  blasphemy  towards  the  young  convert.  But  that  night 
he  was  in  such  mental  agony  that  his  friends  thought  him 
dying.  He  sent  for  Mr.  Wheeler,  who  plainly  set  before  him 
the  way  of  life  and  peace.  For  two  or  three  days  he  seemed 
to  have  accepted  Christ,  and  people  said  that  Mesrob  Agha 
had  also  become  a  Protestant.  But  the  cross  was  too  heavy, 
and  he  went  back  to  his  old  life  and  ways,  saying  to  his  com 
panions,  "  If  you  wish  to  enjoy  perfect  peace  of  conscience,  do 
as  I  have  done  ;  go  to  the  Protestant  meetings  and  get  con 
victed  of  your  sins,  and  then  come  back  to  the 'Old  Church:' " 
A  most  striking  case  of  a  seared  conscience  and  a  hardened 
heart  which  is  given  over,  past  feeling;  the  end  whereof  is 
death  eternal.  "  For  if  after  they  have  escaped  the  pollu 
tions  of  the  world  through  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  and 
Savior  Jesus  Christ,  they  are  again  entangled  therein  and 
overcome,  the  latter  end  is  worse  with  them  than  the  begin 
ning." 

HAR  VEST-  TIME. 

Every  week  was  a  week  of  prayer ;  and  morning,  noon, 
and  night  of  every  day  saw  a  company  of  God's  people 
gathered  to  seek  for  yet  greater  blessings  in  accordance  with 
the  word  of  the  Lord  : — "  I  will  yet  for  this  be  inquired  of 
by  the  house  of  Israel  to  do  it  for  them."  And  many  souls 
were  flocking  into  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  not  only  in  Har- 
poot,  but  the  surrounding  villages-!  Answers  to  special 


*  This  incident  is  also  given  in  "  Ten  Years  on  the  Euphrates,"  by 
Rev.  C.  II.  Wheeler. 

f  No  positive  numbering  of  converts  took  place,  but  the  lowest 
estimate  was  about  two  hundred.  The  work  was  very  thorough  ; 


SOWING   AND    REAPIN  i    T?;    ARMENIA.  589 

prayer  greatly  helped  our  faith.  At  a  "  thanksgiving  meeting  " 
with  the  Christian  sisters  in  the  church,  the  wife  who  had 
with  tears  begged  us  to  pray  for  her  husband,  was  rejoicing 
over  his  conversion.  He  was  a  self-righteous  Pharisee,  and 
his  heart  had  long  been  steeled  against  every  good  influence  ; 
but  soon  after  that  season  of  prayer  in  his  behalf,  he  took  to 
his  bed  as  if  ill,  but  declined  all  medical  aid.  Finally,  he 
called  his  pious  son,  and  said,  "  Tell  me  what  I  must  do  to 
be  saved."  This  speedy  answer  to  prayer  astonished  the 
young  man,  and  he  asked  if  he  should  not  call  the  pastor. 
"  No ;  tell  me  yourself,"  said  his  father,  and  with  humble 
diffidence  but  heartfelt  joy,  the  young  man  led  his  father  to 
Christ.  The  youngest  child  of  the  family,  a  boy  of  ten 
years,  had  given  his  heart  to  Jesus  but  a  few  days  before, 
and  the  father  said  that  the  thought  which  led  him  to  be 
concerned  about  himself  was,  that  all  his  family  were  going 
to  heaven  without  him  ! 


aged  women,  all  their  lives  accustomed  to  drinking  wine,  and  who 
would  have  felt  insulted  not  to  have  the  usual  tass,  or  bowl,  offered 
when  calling  at  a  neighbor's,  now,  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God  alone, 
threw  away  their  cups,  convinced  that  it  was  "  evil,  only  evil,  and  that 
continually."  In  some  of  the  villages,  the  wine  belonging  to  the 
Protestants  was  freely  poured  upon  the  ground,  in  large  quantities, 
since  with  their  new  convictions  of  duty  they  could  not  sell  it.  It 
was  truly  a  "  drink-offering  to  the  Lord."  [In  the  Syriac  Church,  the 
oldest  in  the  world,  it  seems  that  fermented  wine  is  not  used  for  the 
Communion  :  When  the  fresh  juice  of  the  grape  cannot  be  obtained, 
raisins  are  soaked,  and  the  juice  expressed  for  that  purpose.] 

Late  accounts  from  the  Harpoot  field  speak  of  a  reaction  among 
some  of  the  Protestants  in  regard  to  the  use  of  wine.     "  We  have  i 
been  too  strict,"  they  say,  "  there  is  no  harm  in  a  cup  now  and  then.  \ 
Of  course  we  will  not  drink  too  much  ;  let  those  who  cannot  restrain 
themselves  refrain  altogether,"  etc.      But   the    moral    effects  are  as 
baneful   (though  more   slowly  experienced   from   the    purity   of  the 
liquor)  in  Turkey  as  elsewhere. 


590  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


Many  of  the  children  belonging  to  the  Protestant  com 
munity  were  also  coming  to  Christ ;  there  were  seventy  boys 
and  girls  present  at  the  first  meeting  which  I  held  with  them, 
to  talk  of  their  eternal  interests,  and  one  hundred  and  eighty 
came  the  second  time.  The  meetings  of  the  women,  held 
from  house  to  house  every  afternoon,  wrere  largely  attended 
and  exceedingly  interesting.  Opportunity  was  always  given 
for  requests  for  prayer,  and  some  of  those  requests  were 
most  touching,  and  formed  the  burden  of  the  petitions  that 
followed  from  those  who  knew  how  to  pray  for  themselves 
and  others.  At  the  close  of  each  meeting  a  number  lingered 
for  personal  conversation  in  regard  to  the  salvation  of  their 
souls.  The  season  was  unusually  severe,  and  though  I  was 
clad  in  a  fur-lined  cloak,  and  with  boots  similarly  lined, 
constant  speaking  in  the  chilling  atmosphere  of  those  un- 
warmed  houses,  finally  produced  a  serious  affection  of  the 
vocal  organs,  which  caused  much  suffering  and  anxiety  lest 
it  should  be  permanent,  and  hinder  future  usefulness.  It 
was  even  worse  in  my  occasional  meetings  in  the  village 
chapels,  where,  in  addition  to  the  cold,  the  air  was  often 
filled  with  clouds  of  dust  from  the  earth-floors  as  people 
moved  their  seats  to  accommodate  the  late  comers. 

Sometimes,  when  I  returned  at  dusk, — to  the  "Barnum 
cottage,"  where  I  was  spending  the  Winter, — too  exhausted  to 
utter  another  word,  it  would  be  to  find  some  poor  woman 
who  had  been  waiting  for  hours  to  converse  with  me  about 
her  "  spiritual  state,"  and  I  could  not  send  her  away  unfed. 
But  such  prolonged  efforts  were  often  followed,  at  night,  by 
sudden  suffocations  (intensified  by  a  lack  of  pure  air),  which 
sometimes  threatened  to  stop  the  wheels  of  life. 


SOWING   AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  59! 

KEY   TJ   OPEN    THE   BIBLE. 

Two  or  three  hours  of  every  morning  were  spent  at  this 
time  in  preparing  a  much  needed  Progressive  Reading  Book 
in  the  Armenian  language.  This  was  entitled,  KEY  TO  OPEN 
THE  BIBLE  ;  for  it  made  the  steps  so  easy,  that  one  who  had 
mastered  its  contents  was  indeed  able  to  enter  upon  that 
which  is  the  store-house  and  fountain-head  of  all  wisdom. 

The  only  reading  and  spelling-book  hitherto  used  in  our 
Mission -schools,  was  a  literal  translation  of  the  "Tract 
Society  Primer;"  and,  as  words  of  one  syllable  in  English 
were  often  two  and  three  in  Armenian,  it  presented  many 
difficulties  to  beginners,  especially  to  adults  who  were  learn 
ing  to  read  the  Word  of  God.  This  was  so  marked  among 
the  older  women  of  our  Training-School,  that  in  my  super 
vision  of  the  primary  classes,  I  frequently  dispensed  with  the 
book,  and  printed  letters  upon  the  black-board, — in  simple 
combinations,  representing  familiar  things,  which  should  ren 
der  the  lessons  easier  and  more  attractive,  besides  the  ad 
vantage  of  thus  instructing  a  larger  number  at  the  same 
time. 

Still,  a  "  Lesson  Book  "  was  greatly  needed,  and  at  last, 
finding  that  no  one  else  was  ready  to  undertake  the  task,  I 
set  about  it  myself,  not  taking  any  similar  book  for  a  model, 
but  embodying  in  the  simplest  form  the  results  of  obser 
vation  and  experience  in  view  of  the  needs  of  the  people ; 
and  they,  hearing  of  the  attempt,  begged  that  it  might  be  of 
a  size  which  could  be  easily  "  carried  in  the  bosom  "  (the 
loose  folds  of  the  outer  garment)  or  the  girdle.  After  giv 
ing  the  alphabet  in  large  type  (for  the  many  who  have  weak 
eyes),  and  presenting  them  mixed,  and  in  groups  of  three  or 


THE    ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 


four,  they  were  combined  in  very  brief  lessons.  The  read 
ing  lessons  were  prepared  from  words  previously  used  in  the 
spelling-lessons,  and  selected  with  special  reference  to  the 
plainest  expressions  of  truth.  These  lessons  were  also  very 
short,  with  special  directions  for  the  "  little  teachers  " — 
children  of  the  day-schools,  who  found  a  delightful  Christian 
work  in  teaching  grown  people  from  house  to  house,  free 
of  charge,  or  in  some  cases  receiving  a  few  paras  for  each 
lesson.  The  division  of  syllables  (which  is  difficult  in  Ar 
menian)  was  always  a  great  stumbling-block  to  such  teachers 
and  pupils,  and  the  introduction  of  the  hyphen  was  a  great 
help.  Capital  letters,  marks  of  punctuation,  figures,  and 
abbreviations,  were  not  introduced  till  the  close  of  the  first 
few  chapters,  and  after  all  the  preliminary  part  was  com 
pleted  ;  the  last  third  of  the  work  was  devoted  to  attractive 
stories  illustrative  of  Scripture  topics.  Under  "  Prayer," 
were  various  specimens  from  the  Bible,  a  translation  of  one 
or  two  of  Watts'  hymns  for  children,  and  (for  the  first  time 
in  the  Armenian  language)  the  time-honored  "  Now  I  LAY 
ME  DOWN  TO  SLEEP  "  of  Christian  homes,  accompanied  with 
the  direction  that  every  mother  should  teach  this  to  her 
children  as  soon  as  their  "  tongues  begin  to  turn."  Besides 
one  or  two  original  hymns,  there  were  such  sections  as, 
Scripture  Counsel  to  Aged  and  Young  Women  ;  About 
Cursing  and  Blasphemy;  A  Constitution  and  Pledge  for  a 
Children's  Temperance  Society,  with  a  few  words  of  ad 
vice  in  regard  to  commencing  right  when  young ;  A  few 
Considerations  concerning  the  use  of  Tobacco,  with  appro 
priate  passages  of  Scripture — such  as  "  Whether,  therefore, 
ye  eat  or  drink,  or  wJiatsocrcr  ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of 
God;"  The  Good  Resolutions  of  a  Child  \  What  it  is  to  be 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  593 

a  True  Christian,  and  be  prepared  for  Heaven  ;  Resolutions 
of  One  commencing  (with  the  help  of  God)  the  Christian 
Life  ;  A  few  words  of  counsel  and  encouragement  to  the 
Reader, — now  brought  to  the  threshold  of  the  Word  of  God, 
"which  is  able  to  make  wise  unto  salvation."  Ending  with 
the  hymn,  "  We  won't  give  up  the  Bible."* 

Mrs.  Allen  is  also  engaged  in  similar  work,  seizing  all  her 
leisure  moments  to  prepare  a  Geography  in  Armenian,  which 
shall  supersede  the  one  now  in  use. 

FRESH   CHANGES  AND   CLOSING   SCENES. 
Thus  another  Winter  passed  away ;  and  when  the  Spring 


*  This  manuscript  Mr.  Wheeler  conveyed  to  the  United  States,  where 
it  was  beautifully  printed  and  illustrated  by  the  New  York  Tract  So 
ciety,  and  the  edition  of  20,000  copies  was  all  sold  within  the  limits  of 
the  Eastern  Turkey  Mission  in  two  years  ;  hundreds  of  adults,  as  well 
as  children,  learning  from  it  to  read  the  Bible.  The  cost  of  the  edition 
was  $2,392.40,  towards  which  the  Tract  Society  made  an  appropria 
tion  of  $1,500,  the  remainder  being  contributed  by  benevolent  Chris 
tian  friends.  A  second  large  edition  of  this  compact  little  book  of 
107  pp.,  was  published  a  few  years  later.  The  avails  of  such  books 
of  course  go  to  the  general  fund  of  the  mission.  But  more  precious 
than  any  pecuniary  compensation,  is  the  rich  return  that  comes  in  the 
knowledge  that  the  "  dwellers  in  Mesopotamia"  and  Armenia  are 
learning  from  it  the  "  wonderful  works  of  God."  ....  The  night  after 
leaving  Harpoot  (on  my  return)  we  tented  ;  and  as  the  day  dawned, 
heard  the  bells  of  a  caravan  going  by.  Some  one  looked  out,  and 
saw  twenty  or  thirty  mules,  each  laden  with  two  heavy  boxes.  "  There 
go  the  Books  !"  he  cried  (as  they  passed  on  to  the  end  of  their  long 
tramp  from  the  Black  Sea.)  It  was  all  we  saw  of  them  for  months, 
besides  two  small  and  long-expected  boxes  filled  with  tokens  of  re 
membrance  (the  first  ever  received  from  the  friends  at  home) — and 
missionary  boxes  are  an  "institution/"  A  new  book,  an  engraving,  a 
little  gift  "  born  of  affection  ;" — ah  !  how  they  cheer  the  weary  worker  ! 

And  the  shouts  of  joy  from  the  children,  as  toys,  pictures,  or  needed 
articles  of  dress  make  their  appearance  (the  latter  saving  the  mother's 
time  for  direct  missionary  labor)  would  amply  repay  those  who  send 
such  love-tokens,  could  they  but  catch  the  echo  ! 


594  TIIE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

came,  the  busy  hum  of  preparation  sounded  for  the  contem 
plated  departure  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wheeler  and  three  chil 
dren  to  America  (after  an  absence  of  ten  years),  accompanied 
by  Mrs.  Walker  with  her  four,  the  youngest  an  infant  in  her 
arms  : — A  long,  lonely,  and  weary  retracing  of  the  journey  so 
hopefully  taken  with  her  beloved  husband,  who  with  watchful 
tenderness  had  smoothed  every  step  of  the  way  when  they  joy 
fully  returned  to  their  life-work,  only  a  year  and  a  half  before. 

Mr.  Williams  has  brought  his  Arabic-speaking  "  Station 
class  "  to  Harpoot,  to  try  the  experiment  of  training  his 
helpers  and  preachers  at  this  point,  and  thus  obviate  the 
necessity  of  establishing  a  Seminary,  and  a  School  for  Women 
and  Girls  at  Mardin.  This  brings  an  influx  of  pupils  to  our 
Training-School,  in  the  wives  of  the  students,  besides  seve 
ral  girls,  and  the  wives  of  the  new  Koordish-speaking  Arme 
nians  whom  the  people  are  educating  to  go  back  as  "  home- 
missionaries  "  in  Koordistan.  Our  school-room  is  so  crowded 
that  really  there  is  scarcely  room  to  move  about.  And  as 
these  last  comers  know  neither  Turkish  nor  Armenian,  com 
munication  with  them  is  very  difficult.  The  first  day  we 
could  only  speak  by  signs ;  but  we  have  since  found  an  inter 
preter  in  one  of  the  Armenian  girls,  who  knows  a  little 
Koordish.  Armenian  is,  of  course,  the  prominent  language ; 
but  as  those  who  are  here  for  a  few  months  cannot  in  that 
time  acquire  it  sufficiently  to  profit  much  in  general  study, 
Sadie  has  come  from  Diarbekir  to  take  charge  of  the  instruc 
tion  of  our  new  department. 

We  are  much  pleased  with  this  new  element  in  our  little 
community.  There  is  much  that  is  very  interesting  about 
these  sturdy,  stalwart  Syrians ;  they  seem  to  have  more 
solidity  and  breadth  of  character  than  some  of  the  races  in 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  595 


this  region,  but  need  the  Gospel  as  fully  as  their  neighbors.* 
Two  years  ago  Mr.  Williams  sent  us  Shumon,  a  Syrian  girl 
from  Mardin,  to  be  educated.  She  was  about  twelve  years 
of  age,  her  face  marred  by  small-pox ;  and  since  her  pros 
pects  of  marriage  were  thereby  diminished,  her  friends 
consented  to  allow  her  to  come  to  school  as  a  last  resort ! 
Shumon  acquired  the  Armenian  tongue  in  a  surprisingly 
short  time ;  and  when  her  mind  and  soul  awakened,  her 
face  began  to  light  up  with  an  expression  and  animation  that 
made  her  seem  another  being.  Our  "  bodily  exercise  "  gave 
clearness  and  color  to  her  complexion,  and  one  day  on  my 
return  from  visits  among  the  families,  when  Shumon  ran  to 
open  the  gate,  her  face  flushed  with  exercise  and  beaming 
with  affection,  I  suddenly  saw  in  her  the  change  which  had 
been  so  gradual  that  it  had  not  been  especially  noted.  When 
the  Howadji  came  from  Mardin,  he  exclaimed,  in  astonish 
ment,  "  What  a  marvelous  change  there  is  in  Shumon  !  Why, 
she  is  really  handsome  !"  And  so  it  seemed,  thought  others  ; 
for  she  finally  captured  the  heart  of  the  student  who,  of  all 
the  class,  was  considered  the  prize  by  the  Mardin  mothers ! 
Showing  conclusively  that  "  godliness  is  profitable  unto  all 
things,  having  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and  of  that 
which  is  to  come." 

THE  BLACKSMITH,  AND    YEG'HSA,   HIS    WIFE. 
I  had  often  noticed  in  the   Harpoot  chapel  a  large,  tall 
man,  "  head  and  shoulders  above  his  brethren,"  with  broad, 
open,  sunny  face,  that  seemed  shining  with  good  nature  and 


*  Mr.  Williams  told  us  of  a  place  in  his  field,  where  there  were 
several  cases  of  one  woman  having  two  acknowledged  husbands  with 
whom  she  lived  at  the  same  time  ! 


596  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


Christian  feeling.  At  last  I  inquired  who  he  was,  and  the 
reply  was,  "Why,  don't  you  know  the  blacksmith?  That's 
Menzar,  our  good  blacksmith."  It  appeared  that  this  good 
man  had  been  for  several  years  a  Christian,  and  was  very 
useful  in  teaching  others  the  way  of  life.  When  a  villager 
came  to  his  shop,  Menzar  would  draw  from  his  bosom  his 
constant  companion,  the  New  Testament ;  and  reading  a 
verse  (writh  his  hearty  manner  and  ringing  tones),  while 
hammering  awray  upon  the  horse-shoe,  he  would  every 
now  and  then  direct  a  blow  at  the  man's  conscience. 
And  when  the  work  was  done,  would  "  catch  him  with 
guile,"  by  saying,  "  If  you  would  like  to  take  that  book, 
I'll  lend  it  to  you."  Another  Testament  would  quickly  sup 
ply  its  place  ;  and,  in  fact,  he  generally  kept  one  "  lying 
around  loose,"  as  he  said,  to  catch  the  eye  of  those  who 
dropped  in ;  and  when  a  copy  was  returned,  would  say, 
"  Well,  now7,  as  this  book  is  a  little  worn,  if  you  want  to  buy 
it  I'll  let  you  have  it  for  less  than  the  cost."  In  this  way  the 
gospel  leaven  was  introduced  to  many  a  village.  Menzar's 
wife  was  a  pleasant,  winning  little  woman,  whom  I  had  occa 
sionally  seen  in  my  meetings  at  the  other  side  of  the  city,  but 
I  did  not  know  who  she  was  till  one  day,  when  visiting  an 
aged  Christian,  I  found  her  by  the  bed-side  ;  and  when  she 
had  modestly  slipped  from  the  room,  the  good  mother  said, 
"  That  is  Yeghsa,  the 'blacksmith's  wife  ;  she  often  comes  to 
sit  with  me,  and  reads  the  IJible  and  prays." 

It  appeared  that  Men/ar  had  become  a  Protestant  and  a 
Christian  two  years  before  his  wife  accepted  the  truth. 
Although  he  had  never  treated  her  as  badly  as  some  Eastern 
husbands  (the  best  of  whom  considered  it  a  necessity  in 
family  government  to  use  the  rod  upon  the  wife  now  and 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  597 


then — one  of  the  consequences,  no  doubt,  attendant  upon 
such  early  marriages — and  some  of  the  untrained  Protestants 
in  Pain  actually  beat  their  wives  to  make  them  learn  to  read  !) 
this  little  woman,  now  that  she  no  longer  feared  chastisement, 
behaved  as  badly  as  she  knew  how.  Sometimes  she  locked 
her  husband  out  at  night ;  then  she  would  not  prepare  his 
food,  and  in  many  ways  tormented  him,  till  his  patience  and 
gentleness  won  the  day,  and  she  accepted  the  gospel  herself. 
She  acknowledged  that  she  believed  long  before  she  let  him 
know  it,  often  disputing  with  the  women  at  the  fountain,  and 
saying,  "  It  is  the  truth,  and  I  know  it."  But  when  at  last 
she  confessed  to  him,  she  said,  with  a  spice  of  the  "  old 
Adam,"  "  Now  I  believe  ;  but  not  for  anything  that  you 
have  said.  I  found  it  out  all  myself." 

She  was  thirty  years  of  age,  but  her  husband  at  once  gave 
her  a  lesson  in  reading.  Fully  imbued  with  his  spirit  of  im 
parting  what  she  had  received  to  others,  she  ran  over  to  a 
neighbor,  and,  holding  up  her  book,  exclaimed,  "  See  here  ! 
I  have  learned  Aip,  Pen,  Kim,  and  now  you  must  learn  !" 
When  that  was  accomplished,  away  she  went  to  another, 
and  still  another  neighbor,  continuing  to  do  so  as  often  as  she 
received  her  own  lessons.  By  the  time  she  had  finished  her 
first  reading -book,  seven  other  women  had,  through  her 
neighborly  teaching,  done  the  same,  and  some  of  them  were 
better  readers  than  herself.  By-and-by  the  blacksmith  war, 
seized  with  a  desire  to  "  preach  the  gospel,"  and  came  to 
one  of  the  missionaries  to  ask  admission  to  the  Seminary, 
that  he  might  have  a  course  of  training  for  the  ministry. 
"  Why,  Brother,"  Mr.  Barnum  said,  "you  are  preaching  the 
gospel  now,  and  we  can't  spare  you  from  the  work.  Sup 
pose  that  you  spend  four  years  in  being  trained  in  the  Sem- 


598  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

inary  (with  some  help  from  us  in  the  support  of  your  family 
during  that  time),  and  then  go  forth  to  preach.  The  people 
will  say,  '  It  is  his  business;  he  makes  his  living  by  it,'  and 
your  words  will  not  have  half  the  effect  that  they  do  now, 
when  they  see  you  moved  by  love  for  their  souls  without 
seeking  any  return." 

"  Well,"  said  Menzar,  at  last  giving  up  the  project  for 
himself  with  a  sigh,  "  what  will  my  Yeghsa  do  ?  Ac 
cording  to  your  rules,  if  I  am  not  received  into  the  Semi 
nary  she  cannot  be  admitted  to  the  other  school,  and  she  has 
set  her  heart  upon  it." 

After  some  pleading  on  his  part  for  the  wife,  Mr.  Barnum 
told  him  to  go  and  see  the  Varzhoohi ;  and  after  a  little  con 
versation,  I  asked  him  to  send  Yeghsa  over  to  talk  about  it. 
She  came  to  my  room,  and  when  she  had  stated  her  desire, 
I  said,  "  You  know  how  to  read,  Yeghsa,  and  you  are  now 
thirty-three  or  four  years  of  age ;  why  do  you  wish  to  come 
to  school?"  "Because,''  she  answered,"!  want  to  learn 
more.  Our  house  is  just  at  the  edge  of  the  rocks,  and  I 
look  down  and  see  the  little  Turkish  villages  where  the 
women  are  sitting  in  such  darkness  (and  you  know  you  mis 
sionaries  never  go  to  them),  and  I  think  that  if  I  only  knew 
more  of  the  Bible,  I  would  go  down  there  and  teach  them. 
But  I  am  very  wreak.  I  know  too  little."  I  had  decided  in 
my  own  mind  to  receive  her,  but  cruelly  perhaps,  tested  her 
a  little  more ;  when  she,  thinking  that  the  prospect  was  very 
doubtful,  looked  up  with  tears  starting  to  her  eyes,  and  said, 
in  a  touching  tone  of  entreaty,  "  Oh,  Varzhoohi !  I  only  want 
to  come  and  hear  you  explain  the  Word  of  God  ;  that  is  all  t 
And  if  you  can't  take  me  into  the  school,  why,  just  leave  the 
door  ajar,  am?  r  11  come  and  sit  on  the  steps!"  My  own 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  599 

eyes  filled  as  I  said,  "  I  think  you  can  come,  Yeghsa ;  I  will 
see  the  other  missionaries,  and  unless  you  hear  some  word 
to  the  contrary,  you  may  enter  the  school  on  Monday 
morning."  She  could  not  speak,  her  heart  was  too  full ;  but 
the  look  of  gratitude  that  she  cast  upon  me  as  she  passed  out 
of  the  door,  was  more  eloquent  than  words. 

Monday  morning  bright  and  early  Yeghsa  presented  her 
self  at  the  school-room  door.  She  had  cooked  the  family 
breakfast,  had  finished  her  preparations  for  the  evening 
meal,  sent  her  two  children,  ten  and  twelve  years  of  age,  to 
the  day-school,  and,  taking  a  bit  of  bread  and  cheese  for  her 
own  luncheon,  had  trudged  across  the  city  nearly  two  miles, 
(though  far  from  being  strong  or  well,)  carrying  with  her  the 
big  family  Bible,  because  its  large  type  suited  her  weak  eyes. 
After  the  usual  devotional  exercises,  the  classes  filed  off  to 
the  recitation-rooms,  and  my  Bible-class  was  seated  on  the 
floor  at  my  feet,  each  with  her  reference-Bible — for  the  Prot 
estants  of  Turkey  would  not  look  at  a  Bible  without  refer 
ences  !  Yeghsa  looked  wistfully  from  the  corner  where 
she  sat,  and  when  I  said,  "Yes,  you  may  come,"  she 
bounded  from  her  seat  and  took  her  place  among  the 
rest,  with  her  great  Bible  on  her  lap.  And  how  she  drank 
in  the  instruction  given  during  those  hours !  As  the  days 
and  weeks  came  and  went  I  could  almost  see  her  soul  grow  ! 
And  her  face  was  a  continual  inspiration.  Our  usual  course  of 
Biblical  study  comprised,  first,  the  three  Gospels,  then  Acts, 
followed  by  the  Pentateuch,  and  Hebrews  as  its  Key,  ending 
with  the  precious  gospel  of  John,  which  seemed  to  embody 
the  Spirit  of  the  One  Great  Whole.  The  daily  Scripture  read 
ing  took  us  through  the  entire  Word,  taking  the  Old  Testa 
ment  for  the  morning  exercise,  and  the  New  Testament  for 


600  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


the  evening.  Besides  this,  we  had  a  very  profitable  Topical 
Exercise,  each  pupil  repeating  a  passage  selected  and  com 
mitted  to  memory  with  reference  to  the  subject  given  out  the 
day  before.  The  evidence  thus  heaped  up  concerning  certain 
duties,  or  sins — such  as  prayer,  or  praise,  pride,  slander,  de 
ceit,  etc., — was  often  very  powerful ;  our  pupils  were  enjoined 
to  search  their  Bibles  for  new  passages  on  these  points,  and 
not  to  content  themselves  with  reciting  the  old  ones.  As 
one  verse  seemed  to  fit  into  and  cap  another,  (when  each  in 
turn  brought  the  treasure  she  had  gathered  from  the  wonder 
ful  store-house,)  we  all  gained  a  new  conception  of  its  extent 
and  richness.  Sometimes  a  suppressed  murmur  of  surprise 
and  admiration,  in  addition  to  the  general  smile  of  apprecia 
tion,  would  witness  to  the  effect  produced.  Another  method 
of  instruction  which  grew  out  of  our  Object  Lessons,  was  very 
useful  and  interesting  to  all  of  our  pupils — a  diagram  upon 
the  black-board  to  represent  the  human  heart,  in  a  Tree,  with 
its  roots  striking  downward.  SELFISHNESS  was  written  upon 
the  main  root,  and  our  pupils  were  allowed  to  name  the 
branches  springing  from  the  stock : — As  Pride,  Anger,  False 
hood,  Ambition,  Vanity,  Lust,  Avarice,  Covetousness,  etc., 
were  named,  and  each  in  turn  written  upon  the  branches,  or 
new  twigs  added  to  show  what  was  the  natural  fruit  of  each, 
the  interest  of  the  women  was  even  greater  than  that  of 
the  girls. 

And  when  the  tree  of  Satan's  husbandry,  with  its  fearful 
fruitage  was  completed, — and  another  was  drawn, with  LOVE 
for  its  root,  and  Joy,  Peace,  Long-suffering,  Gentleness, 
Goodness,  Faith,  Meekness,  Temperance,  etc.,  springing 
thence  under  the  culture  of  the  Spirit,  and  our  pupils 
had  loaded  its  branches  with  everything  that  is  lovely  and 


SOWING   AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  6oi 

desirable, —  they  stood  in  silent  wonder  before  the  two,  and 
learned  a  lesson  not  easily  forgotten. 

During  my  Winter  visits  to  the  villages  where  our  pupils 
were  laboring,  it  became  very  evident  that  the  women  par 
ticularly  needed  special  instruction  in  the  fundamental  doc 
trines  of  the  Gospel.  Since,  however  little  they  might  know, 
they  were  considered  "  educated,"  in  consequence  of  their 
admission  to  the  Harpoot  school,  it  was  not  uncommon  for 
priests  and  others  belonging  to  the  Old  Church,  to  draw 
them  into  argument,  and  seek  in  various  ways  to  entangle 
and  puzzle  them  by  questions  and  subtle  distinctions  for 
which  they  had  received  no  previous  preparation. 

To  meet  this  want,  we  commenced  a  systematic  course 
of  training,  aside  from  our  daily  Bible  lessons, 

The  Trinity,  the  Atonement,  etc.,  etc.,  were  great  themes 
for  these  poor,  untutored  women  to  study ;  and  know 
ing  how  careful  I  must  be  in  conveying  ideas  to  their  minds, 
lest  like  children,  they  should  get  vague,  or  distorted  con 
ceptions  of  truth,  I  surrounded  myself  with  all  the  help  con 
tained  in  the  three  missionary  libraries.  But  finding  that 
almost  without  exception,  the  very  points  upon  which  light 
was  most  needed,  were  either  omitted,  or  lightly  passed 
over  by  the  various  commentators,  they  were  all  discarded 
(with  the  exception  of  one  or  two  to  give  the  meaning  in  the 
original),  and  Scripture  was  left  to  interpret  Scripture,  by 
the  aid  of  the  Spirit.  And  the  teacher  learned  even  more 
than  her  pupils — who  ever  after  called  them  "  Those 
Blessed  Lessons."* 


*  The  savor  of  those  last  chapters  of  John  in  the  Bible  lessons  remain 
with  us  still.     On  one  occasion  we  spent  nearly  two  hours  over  the 
last  six   verses  of  the   eleventh,  and   the  first   verses   of  the    twelfth 
25 


602  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


The  delight  with  which  Yeghsa  listened  to  these  instruc 
tions  can  be  better  imagined  than  described.  She  re 
mained  through  each  day,  and  when  not  listening  to  other 
recitations  which  embodied  Scripture  truth,  was  always 
poring  over  her  big  Bible.  One  evening  the  good 
blacksmith  came  to  see  me,  and  said,  with  a  deep  sigh, 
"  Varzhoohi,  it  is  too  bad  that  they  didn't  take  me  into  the 
other  school!  My  wife  is  getting  ahead  of  me!"  "That 
will  never  do,  Menzar  !"  I  replied.  "  Suppose  you  go  over 
the  lessons  with  her  every  evening,  and  now  and  then,  on 
Sunday,  put  your  little  wife  on  a  donkey,  and  take  her  down 
to  some  of  the  Turkish  villages,  and  while  she  talks  to  the 
women,  you  can  talk  to  the  men  !"  He  did  so,  and  after  a 
few  weeks  had  passed,  came  again  with  shining  face,  and 
said,  "  Varzhoohi,  if  my  wife  does  a  great  work  for  Christ — 
you  know  we  are  one,  and  I  gave  her  up  for  Him — if  she 

chapter  of  Hebrews  ;  not  so  much  in  exegesis,  as  in  earnest  talk  about 
God's  Plan  of  employing  man  in  labor  for  the  salvation  of  man  :  How 
lie  shrinks  not  from  suffering  His  most  faithful  and  beloved  servants 
to  be  "  afflicted  and  tormented,"  in  want,  "  destitute,"  to  wander  about 
the  earth  homeless,  to  endure  tribulation  even  to  the  end.  And  then 
we  recalled  how  He  "  spared  not  His  own  Son  ;"  and  how  Jesus  said 
to  His  disciples,  when  about  to  leave  them — "  Remember  the  word  that 
I  said  unto  you,  The  servant  is  not  greater  than  his  Lord."  The  sub 
ject  was  more  fully  brought  out,  because  the  husbands  of  two  of  thtf 
women  in  the  class  had  told  Mr.  Barnum  that  they  could  not  live 
upon  their  monthly  allowance  ;  and  he  had  said  to  them,  "  Go  back, 
then,  to  your  trades!" 

When  this  tender  point  was  touched  (though  without  personal  allu 
sion),  they,  and  one  or  two  others  winced,  and  began  to  excuse  such 
complaints.  This  gave  more  force  to  the  application  ;  and  all  the  class 
seemed  much  impressed  when  we  came,  at  last,  to  speak  of  the  Great 
Day  of  Accounts,  and  the  reward  which  the  Master  will  give  to  His 
own  faithful,  self  denying  servants.  One  of  the  good  women  summed 
it  all  up  when  she  said,  "  If  the  heart  is  full  of  Ln<e  to  Jesus,  all  that 
•we  do  an  J  suffer  for  Him  will  ccmc  easy" 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  603 


does  a  good  work  foi  the  Master,  don't  you  think  that  /  can 

have  half  the  credit?" Yeghsa  left  the  school  to 

gather  from  the  streets,  for  instruction,  thirty  or  forty  dirty  lit 
tle  ragamuffins,  covered  with  vermin,  into  her  one  tidy  room, 
where  the  family  ate  and  slept,  with  the  unleavened  bread  for 
several  months  consumption,  stowed  away  in  the  smoky  rafters 
overhead.  She  did  this  voluntary  (unpaid)  work  for  the 
love  of  Christ.  And  the  number  so  increased  within  a  few 
months,  that,  with  the  twenty- six  women  whom  she  was 
teaching  to  read,  and  a  weekly  meeting  which  she  com 
menced  (with  sixty  women),  among  the  neglected  Syrians 
of  that  quarter,  her  hands  were  too  full,  and  the  missionaries 
provided  her  with  an  assistant.* 

BEDRGS,  AND    THE  BOOK. 

One  Sunday  morning,  I  sent  over  to  the  stable  for  Bedros, 
who  took  care  of  the  horses,  and  when  he  came,  told  him 
that  I  wished  him  to  accompany  me  to  the  village  of  Yeghi- 
keuy,  where  I  was  to  hold  a  meeting  with  the  women.  He 
looked  very  blank,  and  then  said  in  a  disappointed  tone,  "  I 
was  going  myself  with  one  of  the  brethren  to  a  village  two 
hours  distant,  for  the  Lord's  work."  "I  am  very  sorry  to 
disappoint  you,  Bedros,  but  when  I  went  over  to  Yeghikeuy 
last  week  (where  the  work  has  newly  opened),  the  women 
were  mostly  in  the  fields,  and  I  promised  if  it  were  pleasant 
on  Sunday  morning,  to  come  again,  and  I  must  keep  my 
word."  Just  then  our  new  missionary  brother,  Mr.  H.  S. 


*  She  greatly  mourned  the  next  year  because  she  could  not  again 
be  received  into  the  school.  But  the  missionaries  could  not  spare 
her  from  her  work,  saying,  "  She  is,  of  all  the  women,  the  most  useful 
helper  that  we  have." 


604  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


Barnum,  passed  through  the  hall,  and  inquiring  the  cause  of 
Bedros's  sadness,  offered,  greatly  to  his  joy,  to  escort  me  in 
his  place,  and  the  two  new  teachers  joined  us.  When  the 
people  of  Yeghikeuy  saw  a  man  with  a  hat  coming  through  the 
place,  they  at  once  supposed  that  a  Badveli  was  going  to 
preach  :  And  soon  after  our  arrival  at  the  house  of  the  teacher, 
he  told  us  that  fifty  men  were  gathered  in  the  school-room, 
besides  the  women  who  were  collecting.  "  Tell  them  that  this 
is  a  new  Badveli  who  cannot  speak  the  language,"  we  said. 
He  returned  in  a  few  moments  to  say  that  they  would  not  go 
away ;  they  were  bent  on  hearing  a  discourse.  So  Mr. 
Barnum  put  together  a  few  phrases  in  Armenian,  with  my 
help,  and  went  in  to  tell  them  that  he  did  not  know  their 
language,  and  could  not  preach;  but  that  Mr.  Allen  would 
come  down  another  Sunday.  Still  they  did  not  move  ;  and 
at  last  the  teacher  came  to  me  and  said,  "  They  want  you  to 
interpret  for  him."  "  O,  that  is  impossible,"  I  exclaimed. 
"  Don't  you  remember  what  Paul  said?"  And  Mr.  Barnum 
also  shook  his  head  over  the  proposition.  Still  the  men  lin 
gered,  and  just  as  they  were  sending  a  delegation  to  confer 
with  me,  I  concluded  to  go  and  see  of  what  sort  they  were. 
I  found  an  honest,  simple-minded  set  of  villagers,  and 
returning,  said  to  Mr.  B.,  "  If  you  will  select  your  text,  I 
think  I  can  manage  it  so  as  not  to  appear  too  conspicuous." 
In  a  few  minutes  it  was  all  arranged.  I  took  my  seat  upon 
a  pile  of  cushions  placed  against  the  side  wall,  between  the 
men  and  women.  The  room  was  full,  there  being  about 
eighty  or  a  hundred  present.  The  teacher  (who  was  not  a 
man  of  much  ability,  his  wife  being  considered  by  the  peo 
ple  as  much  his  superior),  conducted  the  opening  exercise  ; 
after  which  the  young  missionary  arose,  and  repeated,  in 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  605 

English,  "God  so  loved  the  world,  that  He  gave  His  only 
begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believcth  on  Him  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life." 

I  echoed  the  words  in  Armenian,  and  instantly  every 
head  was  turned,  and  every  eye  looked  around  to  where  I 
was  sitting  !  But  when  Mr.  Barnum  again  commenced  to 
speak,  all  but  two  or  three  aged  men,  who  were  evidently  deaf, 
kept  their  eyes  upon  him,  while  for  an  hour  he  continued  his 
discourse  in  brief  sentences,  which  I  gave  to  the  people  in 
the  simplest  village  colloquial  that  I  could  frame.  It  was 
hard  work,  and  the  perspiration  gathered  upon  my  face ;  but 
I  was  delighted  to  see  the  fixed  attention  and  unflagging 
interest  manifested  by  the  people. 

The  story  of  the  serf  who  threw  himself  from  the  horses 
which  he  was  driving  through  the  Black  Forest,  to  save  his 
master  and  family  from  a  pack  of  hungry  wolves,  saying, 
"  One  must  die,  or  all  f  at  once  arrested  every  mind,  in  the 
commencement  of  his  discourse.  And  this  method  of  illus 
trating  and  enforcing  truth,  was  what  I  had  above  all  things 
desired  to  see  generally  adopted  in  the  preaching  of  the 
Gospel.  It  was  a  happy  commencement  of  work  for  the 
new  missionary ;  and  the  people  fully  appreciated  his  effort. 
After  the  service  closed,  they  expressed  their  gratitude  to 
him,  and  not  a  few  lingered  to  thank  me  also.  .  .  .  We  af 
terward  had  pleasant  remembrances  of  the  "  sermon  that  we 
preached!"  But  when  two  or  three  weeks  had  passed,  and 
Bedros  was  taking  me  to  another  village,  he  suddenly  said, 
"  Varzhoohi,  two  men  came  over  from  Yeghikeuy  the  other  day 
to  see  if  you  wouldn't  come  down  and  preach  on  your  own 
account."  "  Well,  what  did  you  say?"  "  O,  I  said,  //  will 
never  do  T  "Why  not?"  I  asked,  somewhat  curious  to  see 


606  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


how  his  mind  would  work  on  such  a  question.  "  Because," 
he  replied,  "  the  Book  says,  '  Let  the  women  keep  silence !' " 
"Very  well,"  I  answered,  "  but  you  know  it  says,  '  I  will 
pour  out  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh,  and  your  daughters  shall 
prophesy  (/.  <?.,  teach),  and  upon  the  hand-maidens  I  will 
pour  out  my  Spirit,  and  they  shall  prophesy.'"  But  again 
Bedros  replied,  "  The  Book  says,  l  Let  the  women  keep  si 
lence!'"  "Yes,"  I  continued,  "but  even  Paul,  who  wrote 
those  words,  said,  '  But  every  woman  that  prayeth,  or 
prophesieth  with  her  head  uncovered,  dishonoreth  her 
head;'  and  that  shows  that  some  women  did  prophesy,  or 
teach!"  This  argument  staggered  Bedros  a  little,  but  after 
a  moment's  silence,  he  reiterated  with  additional  emphasis, 
"THE  BOOK  SAYS,  'LET  THE  WOMEN  KEEP  SILENCE  !'': 
And  I  laughingly  replied,  "  Well,  Bedros,  you  have  learned 
your  lesson  thoroughly!" 

During  the  Spring,  I  had  been  in  the  habit  of  taking  an 
early  morning  ride  (having  for  the  first  time  a  horse  of  my 
own,  through  the  kindness  of  a  few  friends  at  home,  who 
must  have  been  moved  by  the  Spirit  to  furnish  the  funds,  for 
they  did  not  know  of  the  necessity),  and  Bedros  often  accom 
panied  me.  He  never  failed  to  come  at  half-past  five  o'clock, 
whatever  the  weather  might  be;  and  an  hour's  ride  upon  the 
hills  before  breakfast,  gave  the  much  needed  strength  for  the 
work  of  the  day.  On  such  occasions  we  sometimes  talked 
about  the  evangelization  of  his  people,  and  he  told  me  with 
great  simplicity  of  what  he  called  a  "  Stable  Society,"  of 
six  brethren  like  himself,  who  met  there  every  Friday 
evening  to  pray  for  the  coming  of  Christ's  kingdom.  That 
they  had  a  bag  for  their  weekly  offerings,  with  which  they 
were  sending  Bibles  and  Testaments  to  the  dark  and  distant 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  6o/ 


region  of  Moosh.  They  had  already  sent  a  number  of  copies, 
and  were  planning  to  send  more  in  the  Autumn,  by  the  hand  of 
a  brother  Protestant.  "  But  we  tell  him,"  said  Bedros,  "  to  take 
in  exchange  from  the  people,  anything  that  they  will  give ; 
dried  fruit,  cotton,  bulgoor,  no  matter  how  little,  because  if 
we  should  give  the  books  to  them,  they  would  think  that  we 
didn't  care  for  them  ourselves,  or  we  would  not  part  with 
them  for  nothing!"  This,  from  such  a  source,  was  delight 
ful;  and  I  asked  if  the  missionaries  knew  of  the  "  Society." 
"  No,"  said  Bedros ;  "  as  we  meet  in  the  stable  without  any 
light,  as  yet  they  have  known  nothing  about  it."  It  seemed 
that  these  seven  brethren  had  pledged  themselves  to  take 
turns  in  going  to  some  of  the  nearer  villages  on  the  Sundays, 
to  teach  the  people  the  Word  of  God.  And  Bedros  had  some 
very  interesting  stories  to  tell  of  the  generally  kind  way  in 
which  they  were  received.  He  said  that  sometimes  as  many 
as  thirty  persons  would  gather  around  them  as  they  sat  in 
some  door-way  to  read  and  explain  the  Bible.  [The  results 
of  these  efforts  were  very  gratifying,  and  when  in  the  church 
prayer  and  conference  meeting,  Bedros  very  simply  and  ear 
nestly  told  of  a  delegation  sent  from  one  of  these  villages 
(which  had  not  even  a  priest)  asking  for  a  teacher,  and  say 
ing,  "  We  are  hungry  and  starving  for  the  Bread  of  Life," 
several  of  the  most  intelligent  brethren  offered  to  work 
among  the  near  villages,  and  Bedros  and  his  companions  then 
extended  their  labors  among  those  which  were  two  and  three 
hours  distant ;  and  when  I  did  not  need  my  horse  on  Sun 
days  for  similar  work,  he  was  loaned  to  him  for  mission 
ary  service.]  Bedros  was  half  blind,  and  when  it  was  his 
turn  to  go,  one  of  the  Protestant  boys  accompanied  him  to 
read  the  Word,  while  he  did  the  talking :  Knowing  him  to 


608  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


be  a  simple  minded,  weak  brother,  and  that  it  would  be  very 
easy  for  one  who  was  inclined  to  dispute,  to  entangle  and 
upset  him  in  argument,  I  earnestly  exhorted  him  to  stand 
firmly  by  the  Word  and  the  Testimony,  and  not  by  any 
means  be  drawn  into  controversy.  All  which  he  faithfully 
promised,  and  performed,  as  I  had  now  learned  in  a  very 
practical  and  amusing  way  ! 

THE  SCHOOL  "MISSIONARY  SOCIETY:' 
As  the  MISSIONARY  SPIRIT  is  emphatically  the  SPIRIT  OF 
CHRIST,  I  looked  about  for  some  new  method  of  awakening 
and  increasing  the  interest  of  our  pupils  in  the  conversion 
of  the  world.  It  was  necessary  to  enlighten  their  minds 
respecting  the  origin  and  aim  of  the  American  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions,  and  similar  societies  in  other  branches 
of  the  Christian  Church,  and  make  them  realize  that  they, — 
the  Armenians, — were  not  the  people  of  all  others  for  whom 
the  American  churches  were  contributing  and  expending 
their  funds.  And,  in  order  to  enlist  their  sympathies  and 
prayers  for  heathen  nations,  they  needed  some  pictures,  or 
"  inside  views,"  which  would  bring  home  to  their  hearts  the 
true  condition  of  those  who  were  far  below  themselves  in  ig 
norance  and  degradation.  For  this  purpose,  I  commenced 
a  series  of  Missionary  Lectures.  These  were  given  on  the 
Wednesday  afternoons  devoted  to  general  exercises.  Taking 
first  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  I  gave  them  the  story  of  Oboo- 
kiah,  who,  on  reaching  our  American  shores  in  a  sailing 
vessel,  was  found  sitting  on  the  steps  of  the  Yale  College 
Hall  in  New  Haven,  by  a  son  of  President  Dwight,  was  ed 
ucated,  converted,  and  earnestly  praying  for  the  salvation  of 
his  people — hoping  to  go  back  and  preach  to  them  the  ever- 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  609 


lasting  Gospel ; — of  his  early  death,  and  the  sending  forth  of 
the  first  company  of  missionaries  to  that  benighted  region  : 
Picturing  the  parting  (for  life,  as  they  supposed)  with  fathers 
and  mothers,  brothers  and  sisters,  of  those  young  husbands 
and  wives ;  the  six  months'  voyage,  with  all  its  trials ;  the 
arrival,  and  the  deep  degradation  and  profound  ignorance 
and  vice  in  which  they  found  the  people  sunk,  from  the 
highest  to  the  lowest,  with  some  of  their  early  trials  and  labors 
among  them.  After  these  preliminaries,  to  which  the  women 
and  girls  listened  with  intense  interest,  I  said,  "  We  will 
now  leap  over  ten  years,  and  see  what  has  been  accomplished 
by  that  band  of  Christian  workers  :  The  number  of  the  people 
who  have  learned  to  read,  schools,  conversions,  churches," 
— giving  statistics  as  gathered  from  the  "  encyclopaedia 
of  Missions."  Then  we  stepped  over  twenty  years,  and  finally 
thirty  years,  ending  the  wonderful  array  of  facts  and  fig 
ures,  with  an  account  of  the  great  Sunday-school  celebration  at 
Hilo,  when  thousands  of  children  in  holiday  attire,  and  crown 
ed  with  garlands  of  flowers  (like  a  moving  garden),  came  with 
their  teachers  in  joyous  bands,  with  songs,  and  banners  flying, 
and  after  music  and  speeches  in  the  great  church — addresses 
by  Christian  chiefs  and  high  officials  of  the  now  Christian 
government, — they  marched  in  companies  to  an  immense 
tent  and  were  ranged  around  tables  bountifully  spread  with 
provisions  provided  by  their  own  people. 

After  they  had  sung,  "  Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings 
flow,"  and  were  enjoying  the  feast,  one  of  the  missionaries 
spied  an  aged  woman  who  was  continually  going  around,  and 
as  she  surveyed  the  scene,  seemed  greatly  distressed,  now- 
beating  her  breast,  and  now  throwing  up  her  hands  as  she 
wept  and  wailed. 
26* 


6lO  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


When  she  drew  near,  he  said,  "  Why,  mother,  what  is  the 
matter  that  you  should  weep  over  such  a  beautiful  sight  ? 
You  surely  should  rejoice  to-day,  for  you  can  remember 
when  things  were  very  different  among  your  people  !"  And 
the  poor  soul  cried  out  in  bitter  anguish,  "  Why  didn't  the  mis 
sionaries  come  before  ?  These  hands  are  stained  with  the  blood 
of  my  twelve  children,  and  not  one  remains  of  my  flesh  to  re 
joice  here  to-day  !"  And  again  she  cried,  "  Owhy  didnt  the 
missionaries  come  before  ?"  * 

When  this  story  was  ended,  many  of  my  auditors  were 
weeping.  Some  of  them  with  difficulty  controlled  them 
selves  from  sobbing  aloud;  and  the  prayers  that  followed 
for  the  "nations  still  sitting  in  heathen  darkness,"  were  full 
of  fervor  and  unction. 

India,  with  its  millions  of  various  races,  languages,  dia 
lects,  and  religions,  was  the  theme  of  our  next  lecture. 
And  with  the  map  to  help  in  giving  fixed  and  tangible  ideas, 
the  expansion  of  thought  and  sympathy  among  our  pupils 
became  very  visible.  The  next  thing  to  be  done  was  to 


*  Infanticide  was  fearfully  common  among  those  Islanders  before 
the  introduction  of  Christianity;  many  a  Hawaiian  mother — when  her 
infant  cried, — dug  a  hole  in  the  ground  close  by  the  place  where  she 
slept,  and,  throwing  it  in,  heaped  the  earth  upon  it,  and  stamped  it 
down  with  her  feet  to  stop  its  dying  moans  !  The  early  writings  of 
the  missionaries  contain  many  such  fearful  facts,  verifying  the  Apos 
tle  Paul's  words — "Without  natural  affection." 

In  fact,  there  was  a  "  Secret  Society  "  among  the  people,  to  which 
those  highest  in  rank,  men  and  women,  belonged — every  member  be 
ing  pledged  to  destroy  his  or  her  children  ;  not  to  allow  one  of  them  to 
live!  Perhaps  the  primary  cause  of  this  horrible  custom  was  the  wide 
spread  licentiousness  of  all  classes  ;  where  the  marriage  relation  was 
unknown,  the  family  did  not  exist  !  and  in  this  most  revolting  pic- 
fure,  one  can  see  the  social,  moral,  and  spiritual  DEATH  inevitably 
pntaHed  by  a  disregard  of  the  laws  of  God. 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  6ll 


utilize  this  newly-awakened  interest.  A  Missionary  Society 
was  formed  in  the  school,  with  officers  of  their  own  selection, 
Maranos,  our  good  assistant,  being  wisely  chosen  as  Treas 
urer,  and  one  of  the  most  intelligent  of  the  women  as  Presi 
dent.  They  immediately  set  about  handiwork  of  various 
kinds,  which  should  bring  in  funds  for  the  spread  of  the 
Gospel. — And  these  articles  they  were  to  dispose  of  among 
their  own  people,  as  I  said  to  them,  "  Don't  look  to  the  mis 
sionaries  in  any  way,  but  manage  it  entirely  by  yourselves." — 
[This  little  Missionary  Society  prospered  and  bore  good  fruit. 
The  next  Spring,  one  of  its  members  who  had  been  teaching  all 
Winter  in  a  distant  village,  besides  holding  a  regular  weekly 
meeting  for  the  mothers,  and  a  Sunday-school  for  the  chil 
dren — and  who  was  so  successful  that  the  Old  Church  Ar 
menians  offered  their  school-house  for  her  use — came  to  see 
me  at  Harpoot.  She  was  a  young  widow  of  sixteen  when 
she  entered  the  school ;  now  engaged  to  be  married  to  a 
widower  with  six  children,  who  had  done  excellent  work 
as  a  pioneer  in  former  years,  and  was  going  to  "  regions 
beyond  "  in  the  Moosh  district. — It  seemed  that  Nectar 
hesitated  about  "  marrying  so  many  children,"  fearing  that 
she  would  have  little  time  for  Christ's  work  ;  but  finally  con 
cluded  to  accept  the  position  which  included  both  home- 
missionary  and  outside  work !  I  inquired  whether  she  had 
received  her  wages  (for  the  labor  of  five  months),  and  find 
ing  that  she  had  not,  procured  the  fifteen  dollars  from  the 
Station  Treasurer,  and  placed  it  in  her  hands.  She  seemed 
very  grateful,  but  said  little  of  herself,  and  nothing  of  her 
needs  in  view  of  her  approaching  marriage,  for  which  a 
special  wardrobe  is  esteemed  as  necessary  in  the  East,  as 
in  other  lands.  Our  conversation  was  almost  entirely  de- 


6l2  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

voted  to  the  past  raid  the  future  of  her  service  for  Christ. 
The  next  day  I  asked  Maranos  in  an  incidental  way  if 
Nectar  had  contributed  to  the  Missionary  Society  before 
leaving ;  and  she  replied  in  the  affirmative,  stating  the 
amount :  Greatly  to  my  surprise,  it  was  onc-ffth  of  the  sum 
received  for  her  Winter's  work.  This  fact  I  should  never 
have  known  had  I  not  made  the  inquiry.] 

But  gathering  funds  for  missionary  purposes  did  not  fully 
satisfy  our  desires,  or  the  activity  of  our  pupils,  and  I  pon 
dered  much  over  the  subject :  How  to  systematize  and  give 
permanency  to  their  efforts  in  real  Christian  work  ? — That  was 
the  question  ;  for  the  Armenians  have  a  good  degree  of  nat 
ural  enthusiasm,  which  leads  them  to  undertake  a  new  enter 
prise  with  zeal,  which  is  apt  to  cool  when  the  novelty  has  worn 
off  and  difficulties  arise.  The  inspiration  came  in  the  night- 
watches  :  "  Organize  a  band  for  direct  work  for  souls,  and  call  it 

THE   SOUL-LOVING   SOCIETY-." 

u  That  is  the  very  thing  !"  exclaimed  the  eager  group  that 
had  gathered  around  my  school-room  table. — "  Every  member 
of  this  Society  shall  pledge  herself  to  special  Christian  work 
for  souls  around  her — aside  from  incidental  opportunities — 
going  out,  at  stated  times,  a  certain  portion  of  every  week,  to 
1  seek  and  save  the  lost  :'  And,  moreover,  such  member  shall 
consider  herself  pledged  to  establish  a  similar  Society  wher-1 
ever  in  the  future  her  lot  may  be  cast." — This  was  the  simple ' 
pledge  to  which  our  pious  pupils  gladly  set  their  seal.  And 
the  next  Sunday  some  of  the  women  went  with  their  husbands 
to  the  villages  to  gather  the  mothers  around  them  for  a  Bible- 
reading,  and  two  of  the  older  girls  were  allowed  to  go  under  the 
escort  of  a  helper  and  his  wife.  They  returned  with  hearts 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  613 


full  of  gladness,  and  our  Monday  morning  devotional  exer 
cise  \vas  turned  into  a  missionary-meeting  to  hear  their  reports. 
At  the  village  of  Heulakegh,  one  hundred  women  came  to  the 
meeting  held  by  Maranos,  and  ten  or  twelve  to  Sooltan's  gath 
ering  of  church  members.  They  had  a  most  interesting  story 
to  tell.  At  another  village  they  met  thirty-five  women,  besides 
a  few  others  by  the  way-side,  and  at  the  public  fountains,  to 
all  of  whom  they  told  the  story  of  Redeeming  Love.  One  of 
the  Arabic-speaking  women  had  gone  on  Saturday  to  Ichmeh. 
It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  glow  of  soul  with  which  she 
told  her  story,  in  broken  Armenian.  She  had  tried  to  teach 
thirty-five  women  in  a  tongue  not  her  own,  and  though  in 
feeble  health,  seemed  to  have  come  back  renewed  in  both  soul 
and  body.  The  effect  upon  the  school  was  most  blessed. 
Not  long  after,  three  or  four  of  the  younger  girls  came  and 
begged,  with  touching  earnestness,  that  they  might  be  allowed 
to  go  with  the  older  sisters,  and  teach  the  children.  A  new 
baptism  seemed  to  descend  upon  us  all,  and  the  voice  of  prayer 
ascended  morning,  noon,  and  night.  For  weeks  I  have  fre 
quently  passed  around  through  the  corridor  at  evening  twi 
light,  and  listened,  unperceived,  to  the  earnest  petitions  from 
various  rooms  where  little  groups  were  gathered.  Maranos 
was  generally  in  her  own  room,  alone,  similarly  engaged  ;  and 
at  such  hours  this  house  has  seemed  to  me  the  very  gate  of 
heaven.  [When  the  term  closed,  Maranos  went  to  the  city  of 
Palu,  four  or  five  days'  journey  distant,  and  found  the  work 
there  in  a  very  low  state.  The  church  and  community  was  al 
most  rent  asunder  by  a  party  spirit  in  regard  to  the  preacher,  who 
had  been  forced  to  leave.  There  were  a  number  of  Protestant 
women  who  could  read,*  but  they  were  very  cold  and  indifferent. 


*  These  were  the  women  whose  zealous  husbands  applied  the  rod 


614  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


Maranos  started  a  Soul-Loving  Society,  and  it  proved  their 
salvation  !  Eight  couples  pledged  themselves  to  this  work, — 
since  it  seemed  better  to  go  "  two  and  two,"  as  our  Savior 
sent  forth  His  disciples.  Their  heaviest  family  work  was  done 
early  in  the  week,  and  Wednesday  was  the  time  which  many 
of  them  chose  for  this  sowing  of  gospel-seed.  The  two  who 
were  to  go  together  met  at  an  early  hour,  and  knelt  in 
prayer  that  God  would  go  before  them  and  open  doors  and 
hearts.  They  then  sallied  forth  with  their  Testaments,  per 
haps  stopping  by  a  fountain  where  the  Rachels  and  Rebekahs 
were  coming  to  draw  water,  and  reading  to  the  little  company 
(standing  around  with  their  jars  upon  their  heads  or  shoul 
ders)  of  the  well  of  Samaria,  and  the  gracious  words  of  Life 
to  the  poor  woman  who  came,  like  themselves,  to  seek  that 
water  of  which  if  a  man  drink  he  shall  thirst  again.  Then,  pass 
ing  by  door- ways  where  women  were  busily  spinning,  they  sought 
to  interest  them  in  the  Savior's  words  about  the  "  Lilies  of 
the  field  which  toil  not,  neither  do  they  spin,"  and  of  the  glorious 
raiment  of  Christ's  Righteousness.  And  again  a  company  of 
passers-by  would  collect  to  listen  to  that  which  was  so  new  and 
strange.  And  thus  they  spent  the  day.  For,  in  a  country 
where  life  is  so  simple  and  unartificial,  where  the  family  all  eat 
out  of  one  dish  and  sleep  in  one  room,  and  the  fashions  change 
so  slowly  that  the  great-grandmother's  dress  laid  away  in  the 
family  chest  for  grand  occasions,  will  serve  the  granddaughter 
equally  well,  the  women,  if  they  have  the  spirit,  HAVE  TIME  TO 
WORK  FOR  CHRIST.  Maranos  remained  several  weeks,  and  re 
turned  with  her  heart  full  of  joy  to  communicate  the  glad  tid 
ings.  She  said  that  those  Christian  sisters  themselves  testified 


to   make    them    learn    to   read,   and    succeeded,  as  related   by   Mr. 
Wheeler  in  his  "Ten  Years  on  the  Euphrates." 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  615 


that  they  were  never  so  happy  in  all  their  lives  as  since  they 
commenced  to  work  for  others.  They  "  had  no  time  now  for 
gossip,  or  quarreling,  as  before,  for  their  hearts  and  hands  were 
so  full  that  Satan  kept  away  !"  "  It  was  delightful,"  said  Ma- 
ranos,  "  to  go  into  their  houses  and  see  the  women  whom  they 
were  teaching  to  read,  coming  in  for  their  lessons.  They  left 
their  weaving  and  spinning,  and  after  patiently  hearing  them 
spell  out  their  tasks,  themselves  read  a  few  verses  from  the 
Bible,  and  prayed  with  them  before  they  let  them  go.  And, 
the  more  they  did,  the  more  they  wanted  to  do  !  One  day 
eight  of  them  took  their  Testaments  and  went  in  force  to  a 
neighboring  village, — because  they  feared  the  women  would 
resent  their  interference,  and  numbers  gave  them  more  cour 
age.  But  greatly  to  their  joy,  they  were  kindly  welcomed, 
and  came  home  praising  the  Lord.* 


*  At  Marsovan,  on  my  return,  one  of  these  Societies  was  started. 
And  since  all  these  full  details  are  even  more  for  the  assistance  of 
those  newly  commencing  such  work,  than  for  the  encouragement  of 
Christians  at  home,  the  method  may  here  be  stated  :  After  reading  to 
a  company  of  Christian  sisters,  of  the  women  who,  when  our  Savior 
went  "  throughout  every  city  and  village  preaching  and  shewing  the 
glad  tidings  of  the  kingdom  of  God, — were  with  Him  and  the  Twelve 
— and  MINISTERED  UNTO  HIM  op'  THEIR  SUBSTANCE,"  I  inquired,  "  What 
do  you  suppose  those  women  did  ?  We  know  what  Martha  did  when 
He  went  to  Bethany.  She  was  intent  upon  honoring  her  Guest  with  the 
choicest  dishes  that  her  hands  could  prepare  ;  perhaps  she  made  pilaff, 
and  dolmas  (I  have  often  heard  you  say  that  it  takes  two  to  make 
dolmas.)  Martha  loved  the  Master,  and  desired  to  hear  His  precious 
words  ;  but  she  did  as  many  of  you  do  when  we  come  to  see  you — 
run  into  the  kitchen  to  prepare  some  refreshment,  when  we  care  only 
to  impart  to  you  spiritual  food  (perhaps  there  was  some  truth  in  the 
German  commentator's  interpretation  of  '  One  thing  is  needful ' — 
meaning  one  kind  of  food ;  for  the  people  rarely  have  more  than  that 
when  by  themselves).  Suppose  that  you  had  been  with  those  minis 
tering  women,  what  would  you  have  done  for  the  Master?  Would  it 
not  have  been  a  delight  to  have  made  and  mended  His  clothing,  pre- 


6l6  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


A    MOTHERS'   ASSOCIATION. 

When  Miss  Seymour  reached  Harpoot,  she  said  to  me, 
"  I  have  brought  you  something  from  your  mother."  "  That 
can  hardly  be,"  I  replied,  "  for  my  mother  has  been  in 
heaven  for  two  or  three  months."  "  Ah,  yes,  but  I  have  ;  and  it 
is  something  which  I  should  esteem  very  precious."  And  the 
next  day  she  handed  me  a  time-stained  printed  paper  with  a 
list  of  names,  among  which  was  that  of  my  mother  and  some 
of  her  children.  It  was  the  "  Constitution  of  the  First  Ma 
ternal  Association  "  of  my  native  place.  What  sacred  memo- 


pared  His  food,  and  the  couch  upon  which  lie  was  to  rest?  Or  to 
have  bathed  those  way-worn  feet,  or  anointed  with  precious  oil  that 
weary  head  ?"  "  O  yes  !"  said  the  women  ;  "  would  that  we  had  been 
there!"  "Well,  you  can  minister  to  Him  now  just  as  truly,  and  I 
will  tell  you  how.  Christ  himself  says  that  He  will  regard  every  ser 
vice  done  to  others  for  His  sake,  as  if  done  to  Himself.  'Inasmuch 
as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my  disciples  YE  HAVE 
DONE  IT  UNTO  ME.  '  "  They  listened  with  great  interest  to  the  account 
of  the  Palu  women,  and  when  asked,  many  were  ready  to  become 
members  of  a  "  Soul-Loving  Society."  A  few  directions  were  then 
given  in  regard  to  choosing  their  companions  in  this  work  ;  that  it 
was  wise  for  an  elderly,  experienced  Christian,  to  select  a  younger 
one,  as  each  would  help  the  other — one  could  read  better,  and  the 
other  give  instruction.  And  that  by  their  sympathy  for  the  sick  and 
suffering,  wherever  they  should  find  them,  caring  for  their  bodily 
wants,  the  door  would  often  be  opened  for  spiritual  work.  Then  the 
work  of  selection  commenced,  the  older  sisters  having  the  first  choice. 
"  I  will  take  Takohi  !  "  said  one.  "  And  I  Mariam  ;"  "  And  I  Juhar,  " 
and  so  on,  the  scene  becoming  vcrv  lively  and  interesting. 

Months  after,  the  missionary  ladies  wrote  that  the  little  seed  sown 
in  much  weakness  by  the  wayside,  had  "borne  rich  fruit."  [When 
the  news  of  the  great  fire  at  Chicago  reached  Marsovan,  the  sympa 
thies  of  these  Christian  women  were  greatly  enlisted.  Of  their  own 
accord,  and  from  their  poverty,  thev  made  up  a  purse  amounting  to 
eight  dollars,  and  brought  it  to  Mrs.  Leonard  to  send  to  the  sufferers, 
saying,  "We  must  do  something  for  those  who  have  done  so  much 
for  us. "] 


SOWING   AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  6l/ 


ries  and  hallowed  associations  it  recalled  !  On  the  swift 
wings  of  thought  I  was  carried  back  to  the  home  of  my  early 
life.  I  saw  myself  a  child  of  six  years  conning  my  lesson 
in  the  catechism,  and  the  hymn  which  I  was  to  recite  at  the 
"  Quarterly  Meeting  of  mothers  and  children." — It  is  a  warm 
Summer  day ;  the  soft  breezes  fan  my  cheeks  as  I  rock  back 
and  forth  in  the  foot  of  the  vacant  cradle,  repeating  the  favor 
ite  lines  : 

"  See  Israel's  gentle  Shepherd  stands 

With  all-engaging  charms  ; 
Hark  !  how  He  calls  the  tender  lambs, 
And  folds  them  in  His  arms." 

And  then  with  the  faithful  mother  and  the  younger  sister  at 
my  side,  pass  through  the  broad  "  Main  street "  of  that  lovely 
village,  to  the  shaded  home  where  we  all  gathered. — Saintly 
women  were  there  whose  presence  was  a  benediction.  So 
gentle,  so  loving  in  looks  and  tones,  that  I  loved  to  look  upon 
their  meek  faces,  around  which  I  could  almost  see  a  halo. 
They  little  imagined  that  the  timid,  shrinking  child,  was  read 
ing  lessons  of  life  in  every  countenance.  There  were  women, — 
a  few — from  whom,  even  then,  I  instinctively  shrank — loud- 
voiced,  harsh,  and  forbidding  ;  but  such  were  not  of  the  "  Ma 
ternal  Association."  Ah,  what  seeds  were  then  sown  in  the 
tender  soil  of  young  hearts,  to  spring  up  and  bear  fruit  long 
after  those  mothers  should  have  entered  into  rest  1 

As  I  held  that  paper  in  my  hand,  it  seemed  a  wonder 
ful  link  in  the  chain  of  Providence ;  God  had  lodged  it 
in  the  hands  of  a  good  mother  in  Israel — far  from  my 
old  home — who,  finding  that  Miss  Seymour  was  going  to 
Harpoot,  was  led  by  a  sudden  impulse  to  send  it  to  me.  At 
that  very  time  my  mind  was  much  exercised  about  those  mem- 


6l8  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

bers  of  our  school  who  were  mothers.  They  needed  special 
training  for  their  duties  in  that  most  important  relation  ;  and 
some  plan  or  system  must  be  devised  to  perpetuate  the  instruc 
tions  and  impressions  which  they  might  receive.  This  was  the 
very  thing  !  The  mothers  of  the  Armenian  nation  must  have 
Maternal  Associations  of  their  own  ! 

With  some  assistance  from  Maranos,  a  Constitution  was 
drawn  up  in  Armenian,  based  upon  the  old  one,  but  modi 
fied  to  suit  the  circumstances  of  the  people.  Our  women 
were  much  interested  in  my  account  of  the  "precious  paper" 
brought  by  the  new  Varzhoohi,  and  when  a  "  Mothers'  Asso 
ciation  "  was  proposed  among  themselves,  received  it  with 
gladness.  When  the  Constitution  was  read  for  their  ac 
ceptance,  several  heads  were  seen  together  in  consultation  ; 
hands  were  raised,  and  when  an  opportunity  was  given,  they 
said,  "There  is  nothing  about  money  in  it."  "  Very  well ; 
but  that  does  not  matter."  "  O,  but  who  ever  heard  of  a 
Society  without  giving  money  ?"  they  cried.  "  But  what  will  you 
do  with  your  money  ?"  I  asked  After  a  moment's  thought  they 
said,  "  We  will  give  it  to  care  for  the  orphans  of  the  society, 
or  to  help  the  widows."  And  a  clause  to  that  effect  was  in 
serted.  We  organized,  and  chose  a  committee  of  four  to  man 
age  the  business  and  conduct  the  meetings  in  turn,  semi 
monthly.  There  were  twenty-nine  Armenian  mothers  belong 
ing  to  the  school,  with  "  fifty  children  now  living,"  besides  the 
Koordish  and  Syrian  women,  making  in  all  forty  mothers, 
according  to  the  record  made  by  the  secretary.  It  was 
arranged  that  the  children  should  come  with  their  mothers 
once  a  month. 

At  their  request,  I  conducted  the  first  meeting,  for  as  all  were 
pledged  to  establish  like  Associations  elsewhere,  they  wished  to 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  619 


learn  how  ;  and  to  train  them  for  this,  was  our  aim.  And  the 
second  meeting,  at  which  the  children  were  present,  was  con 
ducted  by  one  of  our  most  intelligent  women,  the  wife  of  a 
preacher.  She  did  admirably,  reading  the  first  verses  of  the 
sixth  chapter  of  Ephesians,  and  talking  to  the  mothers  most 
earnestly,  appropriately  illustrating  her  remarks.  Then 
she  turned  to  the  children,  and  as  I  listened  to  her  pleasant 
words  my  heart  was  cheered.  After  two  brief,  earnest 
prayers,  I  catechized  the  little  ones,  and  heard  them  recite 
their  hymns  and  passages  of  Scripture.  Each  mother  sat 
with  her  group  of  children  around  her  feet ;  and  every  child, 
however  small  (the  infants  were  not  brought),  had  something 
ready — the  Syrian  children  in  Arabic.  Some  of  the  timid, 
wee  ones,  needed  all  the  prompting  and  cheering  of  their 
parents  and  older  brothers  and  sisters,  to  repeat  "  God  is 
Love,"  or  "Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto  me."  A 
manly  little  fellow  of  eight  years  repeated  the  thirteenth 
chapter  of  first  Corinthians.  When  he  came  to  the  verse, 
"  When  I  was  a  child,  I  spake  as  a  child, — but  when  I 
became  a  man,  I  put  away  childish  things," — every  one 
laughed,  and  though  he  could  scarcely  keep  from  doing  so 
himself,  he  went  on  to  the  close  with  a  clear,  steady  voice. 
How  those  mothers'  faces  shone  !  The  school-girls  were 
occupying  seats  behind  the  rest,  and  were  so  much  interested 
that  they  stood,  most  of  the  time,  to  see  as  well  as  hear. 
The  melodeon  had  been  brought  down,  and  we  sang  many 
pieces  between  the  other  exercises.  At  the  close,  all  seemed 
very  happy,  and  as  they  passed  out,  dropped  their  free-will 
offerings  into  the  little  box  held  by  their  treasurer.  Many 
a  mother  held  up  her  child  with  the  copper  in  its  little  hand, 
that  it  might  have  the  privilege  of  casting  it  in,  thus  learn 
ing  the  luxury  of  giving  to  the  cause  of  Christ. 


620  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


After  these  preliminary  meetings,  the  "  committee  of  four  " 
took  their  turn ;  and  since  they  were  very  timid  about  it,  we 
allowed  two  (at  a  time)  to  share  the  responsibility  and  care 
of  each  meeting,  sitting  side  by  side  at  the  table,  and  sup 
porting  each  other.  One  took  the  first  part,  and  the  other 
the  second ;  and  it  was  delightful  to  see  and  hear  them  in 
those  first  attempts.  It  evidently  led  them  closer  to  the 
Source  of  all  wisdom  and  strength.  By-and-by,  time  was 
given  for  the  mothers  to  relate  their  experience  and  peculiar 
trials  in  the  training  of  their  children,  that  we  might  know 
better  how  to  help  them  ;  and  when  some  freedom  of  utter 
ance  was  obtained,  many  questions  were  asked  and  valuable 
information  gained.  One  would  tell  of  her  inability  to  gov 
ern  her  children  as  she  wished,  because  of  the  constant  in 
terference  of  the  grandparents  (who,  in  the  East,  have  more 
authority  than  the  parents).  Another  asked  what  course 
she  should  pursue  when  her  child  was  ill  and  would  not  take 
the  medicine,  or  obey  other  requisitions.  And  still  another 
wished  to  know  what  she  should  do  when  her  little  ones  be 
haved  badly  in  church,  knowing  that  she  would  not  punish 
them  there.  This  greatly  added  to  the  interest,  and  gave 
the  desired  opportunity  of  dealing  with  facts,  and  imparting 
practical  instruction.  Now  and  then  a  mother  of  some  expe 
rience  would  state  her  way  of  meeting  such  cases,  saying, 
"  /  do  so  and  so."  But  one  very  important  question  weighed 
upon  the  hearts  of  all  :  "  What  shall  we  do  to  keep  our 
children  at  home  in  the  Winter,  when  they  cannot  play  out- 
of-doors  as  usual,  and  collect  in  the  stables  (because  of  the 
warmth),  where  they  learn  all  manner  of  wickedness  ?"  To 
this  we  replied,  "  The  remedy  lies  in  making  HOME  the  best 
and  HAPPIEST  or  ALL  PLACES  to  them."  "  But  they  will  not 


SOWING  AND   REAPING  IN  ARMENIA.  621 


stay  at  home,  however  much  we  may  command  and  threaten 
to  punish  them,"  said  some  of  the  mothers.  "  Perhaps  they 
will  be  quiet  for  a  few  hours,  and  then  the  first  thing  we 
know  they 'are  gone  !"  [This  had  been  said  to  me  by  some 
of  the  women  in  the  villages  which  I  visited  during  the  Re 
vival,  when  those  who  were  Protestants,  and  even  one  or  two 
church  members,  confessed,  with  great  shame,  that  they 
"  could  not  keep  from  their  old  habit  of  cursing  their  children 
when  angry  !"  "  Now  tell  me,  what  do  you  say  at  such 
times  ?"  I  asked,  for  my  ears  had  never  caught  the  meaning 
of  such  rapid  talk  in  the  streets,  and  the  women  were  very 
careful  of  their  speech  in  my  presence.  After  begging  hard  to 
be  "  let  off,"  they  told  me  with  downcast  faces,  that  they 
said  "  May  you  be  blind /"  "  May  you  enter  the  ground  !" 
i.  e.,  be  dead  and  buried.  This  was  just  what  I  wished 
to  know,  and  gave  point  to  many  a  talk  to  mothers ; 
when  I  repeated  some  of  those  wicked  words  (in  my  village 
meetings)  the  wdmen  would  look  at  each  other  in  astonishment, 
and  say,  "  Why,  she  knows  /"]  "  Children  must  play," 
I  said  to  these  mothers  ;  "  it  is  as  natural  for  them  to  frisk  and 
frolic,  as  for  the  little  lambs  to  gambol  in  the  field.  And  you 
must  furnish  proper  exercise  for  those  busy,  restless  little 
hands  and  feet,  or  they  will  seek  it  where  they  can  find  it." 
"Well,  tell  us  how!"  said  the  women.  "Teach  them  sim 
ple  games  that  will  entertain  them  at  home,  and  sometimes 
play  with  them  yourselves."  "  We  do  not  know  how  to  teach 
them,"  they  said  (and  the  idea  of  their  playing  with  the 
children  seemed  preposterous).  "  Well  then,  we  will  teach 
you."  And  after  the  meeting  closed,  we  invited  them  to  the 
parlor,  and  commenced  the  "  Lesson  of  Games  "  with  "  Jack- 
straws."  As  one  after  another  picked  up  the  tiny  straws, 


622  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


while  all  the  others  looked  on,  we  were  pleased  and  amused 
with  a  scene  which  was  so  new  to  us  in  this  land.  The 
"  mother  of  thirteen  "  was  quite  jubilant  over  her  success. 
She  had  acquired  a  fairy  charm  which  would  keep  four  or 
live  of  her  youngsters  still  for  hours  in  the  one  room  of  their 
Winter  home,  and  thus  give  her  more  leisure  and  quiet. 
We  next  tried  the  simple  game  of  "  Hide-and  Seek,"  sending 
half  a  dozen  girls — whom  we  had  called  in  to  take  the  place 
of  children — out  of  the  room,  while  we  hid  a  ball  of  cotton. 
Then  "Hide  in  Sight;"  which  greatly  amused  the  perform 
ers  :  The  merriment  became  unbounded  when  the  ball  was 
placed  in  full  view  upon  a  picture-frame,  and  the  girls  (al 
though  told  that  it  would  be  in  plain  sight)  were  diving  into 
pockets,  and  searching  all  imaginable  places ;  at  last,  suppos 
ing  from  the  guiding  word,  that  they  had  found  the  place, 
they  seized  upon  one  of  their  mates  sitting  just  beneath  it, 
while  some  of  the  mothers  were  so  convulsed  with  laughter, 
that  the  tears  rolled  down  their  faces,  and  others  held  their 
sides,  or  clapped,  and  we  looked  on  and  enjoyed  to  our 
heart's  content  the  seeing  Old  Armenia  waked  up  after  a 
fashion  which  we  had  never  seen  before  !  When  we  started 
"  Blind-man's  Buff,"  their  elephantine  tread  soon  caused  it  to 
"be  dropped ;  and  the  game  of  "  Trades "  followed,  into 
which  they  entered  with  spirit,  manifesting  much  imita 
tive  ability;  going  successively  through  the  art  of  making 
cloth,  from  the  raw  cotton  to  the  completed  web  from  the 
loom,  bread-making  (from  the  seed  sown),  silk  manufac 
ture,  shoe-making,  ending  the  game  by  a  trade,  or  profes 
sion,  selected  and  acted  out  by  every  one  left  in  the  room, 
which  was  to  be  guessed  from  the  pantomime,  by  those  who 
had  been  sent  out.  We  closed  the  entertainment  by  singing 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  623 

"  Love  at  Home,"  and  "  Come,  come  away  from  labor  now 
reposing,"  recently  translated.  And  then  with  joyous  faces, 
and  many  a  hearty  "  Thank  you,"  our  flock  of  mothers  re 
paired  to  their  homes  and  their  little  ones. 

The  next  time,  we  held  our  mothers'  meeting  in  a  pleasant 
garden  beyond  the  city  ;  and  after  it  was  ended,  and  we  had 
partaken  of  fruit  and  bread,  we  had  a  few  lively  games  with 
the  children  upon  the  green  grass  beneath  the  trees.  This 
proved  so  delightful  that  it  was  often  repeated  during  the 
Summer  term,  and  at  our  last  gathering,  we  gave  up  the  en 
tire  day,  inviting  the  husbands  and  fathers  to  join  us.  When 
I  reached  the  garden — previously  secured  for  the  purpose  by 
payment  of  a  few  piastres  to  the  Turkish  owner — half  a  dozen 
of  the  men  came,  with  great  politeness,  to  assist  me  in  dismount 
ing  from  my  horse.  The  encampment  looked  very  pleasant ; 
hammocks  for  the  babies  were  swung  beneath  the  trees,  and 
the  older  children  were  scattered  in  every  direction,  enjoy 
ing  themselves.  A  pond  afforded  a  swimming-place  for  some 
of  the  boys,  under  the  care  of  their  fathers,  who  seemed  to 
enjoy  the  hilarity  of  the  occasion. 

After  a  simple  luncheon  provided  by  each  family,  the 
"  meeting  "  was  "  called  to  order."  When  the  children  had 
gone  through  with  their  part,  they  were  addressed  by  the 
fathers,  and  we  had  some  excellent  speeches  and  animated 
singing.  Toward  evening  we  returned  to  the  city,  and  it 
was  pleasant  to  see  those  Christian  men  walking  with 
their  wives  and  children,  and  carrying  the  little  ones  in 
their  arms  :  Another  proof  of  the  elevating,  refining  power 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ ;  for,  till  they  felt  its  renewing  influ 
ence,  nothing  could  have  induced  them  to  be  seen  doing  such 
a  thing ! 


624  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

THE   CLOSE    OF   THE    SCHOOL    YEAR. 

The  half  of  what  "  GOD  IIATII  WROUGHT  "  among  this 
people  can  never  be  told  !  Eternity  alone  will  reveal  every 
thing  in  its  true  light.  But  this  has  been  a  blessed  year; 
rich  in  fruitage.  Results  were  speedy ;  the  sowing  and  the 
reaping  going  on  simultaneously;  scattering  with  one  hand, 
and  gathering  with  the  other !  It  has  been  inexpressibly 
sweet  to  work  and  walk  with  Jesus !  conscious  alone  of  His 
eye,  and  His  ear,  and  caring  little  for  the  knowledge  or  ap 
proval  of  the  world  : — to  feel  sure  that  every  stroke  was  help 
ing  in  the  erection  of  a  Spiritual  House, — polishing  the 
corner-stones  for  the  temple  of  our  King. 

The  early  Summer  brought  with  it  a  great  personal 
bereavement  in  the  sudden  and  wholly  unlocked  -  for  re 
moval  from  earth,  of  the  precious,  praying  mother,  whose 
face  I  had  once  more  hoped  to  see.  But  her  depaiture,  to 
serve  in  the  presence  of  Him  whom  her  soul  loved,  may 
have  been  the  means  of  choice  blessings  to  this  school. 
And  even  before  the  blow  fell,  the  blessing  came,  from 
prayers  "  laid  up  "  before  the  throne  !  [When  I  wrote  to  my 
mother  of  the  precious  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  during  the 
Winter,  she  replied,  "I  am  not  at  all  surprised.  It  is  just 
what  I  have  been  praying  for  every  day  for  months  past!" 
Ah,  who  can  say,  "/ — /  did  it  f  When  those  who  have 
"  turned  many  to  righteousness  "  shall  be  gathered  in  Heav 
en,  there  will  be  not  a  few  of  earth's  hidden  ones  who  will 
shine  "  as  the  stars,  for  ever  and  ever  !"  For  every  prayer  of 
faith  that  wings  its  way  to  the  throne  of  God  there,  falls  in 
showers  of  blessings  here  /"  And  really,  there  is  no  FOREIGN 
WORK,  it  is  all  HOME-WORK  :  As  truly  as  the  unseen  springs 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  625 

among  the  hills,  send  gushing  streams  to  gladden  the  valleys 
below,  do  parents  in  the  sacred  seclusion  of  Christian  homes, 
faithful  pastors,  and  teachers,  prepare  the  agencies  that  bless 
the  "FIELD" — WHICH  is  "THE  WORLD."]  Very  precious 
was  the  tender  sympathy  manifested  by  our  pupils,  "  Rejoice 
that  you  have  a  mother  in  Heaven ;  and  you  and  I  will  be 
more  diligent,  that  we  may  one  day  enter  in !"  said  one  good 
woman.  "  I  too  have  lost  a  Christian  mother,"  wrote  one  of 
the  dear  graduates ;  "  a  mother  is  a  sweet  thing  !  we  can  have 
but  one  mother ;  and  only  God's  arm  is  long  enough  to  reach 
down  into  the  heart,  and  touch  that  tender  place."  One  Sun 
day,  a  few  weeks  after  the  tidings  came,  I  was  conversing  with 
one  of  our  dear  girls  of  her  future  course.  [Baidzar  was 
really  a  granddaughter  of  the  Constantinople  School ;  for 
her  mother  was  one  of  the  early  pupils,  who,  when  first  mar 
ried  to  young  preacher  Simeon,  returned  to  the  School  dur 
ing  my  first  connection  with  it,  while  her  husband  resumed 
his  studies  preparatory  to  his  settlement  in  a  distant  part  of 
Armenia : — When  the  missionaries  asked  him  what  most  he 
wished  to  learn  during  those  few  weeks,  he  replied,  "  SIN, 
AND  SALVATION  :" — But  this,  their  first-born,  was  very  unlike 
her  gentle  mother,  when  at  twelve  years  of  age  she  entered 
the  school  at  Harpoot :  She  had  a  good  mind,  but  was  so 
proud,  self-willed,  and  passionate,  that  for  the  first  two 
years,  we  felt  that  unless  God  should  change  her  heart,  it 
would  have  been  better  had  she  never  come  to  us,  because 
the  people  of  Bitlis  would  look  upon  her  as  a  representative 
of  educated,  Christian  womanhood. 

The  first  indication  of  a  change  came  in  the  tenderness 
manifested  when  reproved   during  a  recitation,  instead  of 
her  usual  sullenncss.     And  during  the  last  year,  her  growth 
27 


626  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


in  Christian  character  had  been  so  marked,  as  to  give  great 
hope  for  her  future.] 

This  was  her  last  year  in  the  school,  and  after  speaking 
of  what  she  might  do  if  faithful,  for  the  women  and  chil 
dren  of  her  distant  home,  I  said,  "  We  may  never  meet  again 
on  earth ;  but  I  shall  look  for  you  on  the  right  hand  of  the 
Judge  at  the  last  day,  with  the  souls  that  you  have  brought 
to  Christ."  Baidzar  seemed  much  affected,  and  after  a  mo 
ment's  pause,  timidly  said,  "  It  is  a  joy  to  me,  that  I  hope  to 
meet  you  in  Heaven.  Marta  and  I  were  talking  about  it  the 
other  day,  and  she  said,  '  If  you  or  I  should  die,  and  go  to 
Heaven  before  the  Varzhoohi  does,  we  will  go  and  find  her 
mother,  and  say,  "  Your  daughter  led  us  to  Christ  "  ' !  " 
And  her  eyes  filled  with  tears  as  she  spoke.  This  was  a 
sweet  bit  of  comfort,  direct  from  the  Lord,  and  quite  melted 
my  heart.* 

Our  school  prayer-meetings  were  seasons  of  great  enjoy 
ment,  and  that  of  Monday  morning,  in  place  of  the  usual 
twenty  minutes'  Bible  reading,  was  a  special  time  of 
blessing  and  preparation  for  the  week's  work.  We  generally 
selected  some  special  topic  for  prayer, — the  unconverted 
fathers  or  brothers,  the  preachers  of  the  Gospel, — or  Con- 


*  Not  many  weeks  after  Baidzar  reached  her  home,  I  received  from 
her  a  letter  enclosing  a  silver  nose  jewel,  set  with  a  turquoise: 
"  This,"  she  wrote,  "  is  the  first  fruits  of  my  work  for  Christ.  After 
my  first  meeting  with  the  women  and  girls,  at  which  I  had  talked  to 
them  of  denying  ourselves  for  His  cause,  one  of  the  women  brought 
her  nose  jewel,  and  gave  it  to  me  for  the  Lord.  And  I  send  it  to  you 
to  take  to  America."  Baid/.ar  became  the  wife  of  a  preacher  of  the 
Gospel,  who  was  settled  in  that  region  ;  and  she  has  (within  a  few 
years)  gone  to  Heaven,  "  before  the  Yarzhoohi."  Hut  the  correspond 
ence  maintained  with  her  during  that  period,  proved  the  necessity  of 
SAVING  PREPARED  MATERIAL  by  keeping  the  connecting  links  bright ! 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  627 

stantinople  and  its  churches.  Three  or  four  minutes 
were  occupied  in  presenting  the  subject,  and  a  verse  or 
two  of  Scripture  in  connection  with  it,  and  the  meeting  was 
thrown  open  for  all  who  felt  moved  to  pray. — Our  pupils  had 
been  cautioned  about  going  all  around  the  world,  and  ending 
in  heaven,  in  their  petitions  at  such  times,  and  were  told 
not  to  try  to  "  wind  up,"  but  to  stop,  when  they  had  finished, 
and  say,  "Amen."  So  that  we  not  infrequently  had  eight 
or  more  pointed,  fervent  prayers  within  fifteen  minutes. 
Not  a  moment  was  lost  in  waiting,  and  the  gain  on  former 
years  in  point  of  brevity,  and  specific  petition,  was  very 
evident. 

Our  little  "  experience  meetings  "  for  the  Christians,  were 
really  delightful.  It  was  very  difficult,  at  first,  to  get  their 
mouths  opened,  but  when  once  the  silence  was  broken,  all 
unnecessary  reserve  melted  away,  and  hearts  were  drawn 
together  as  never  before.  ...  In  the  Bible  and  Doc 
trinal  lessons,  we  felt  the  Living  Presence  of  Him  whose 
Life  and  Teachings  we  studied.  We  had  carefully  examined 
twenty-three  topics  pertaining  to  the  foundation  doctrines  of 
the  Gospel.  After  going  through  with  them  once,  we  com 
menced  again ;  the  class  copying  upon  their  slates  each  ques 
tion  and  answer,  as  I  gave  it,  in  concise  terms,  with  three  or 
four  proof-texts  affixed — to  be  afterwards  transcribed  upon 
blank-books,  for  future  use  :  Two  of  the  Syrian  women 
were  in  this  class,  and  took  theirs  down  first  in  Armenian, 
to  be  afterwards  translated  into  Arabic.  As  the  term  drew 
near  its  close,  the  class  wished  much  to  go  on,  and  begged 
permission  to  drop  other  studies  to  gain  all  they  could  in 
this — several  of  them  saying,  "  These  manuscripts  will  be 
of  great  use  to  us  this  Winter ;  we  shall  read  and  study  them 


628  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSION'S. 

much."  I  could  see  them  developing,  day  by  day,  both  mentally 
and  spiritually,  and  felt,  as  often  before,  that  there  is  nothing 
in  all  the  wisdom  of  the  world  which  can  so  elevate  and  en 
noble  the  whole  man,  as  this  being  constantly  brought  in 
contact  with  THE  INFINITE  MIND  ! 

The  public  Examination  took  place  in  October.  In 
addition  to  the  usual  order  of  exercises,  there  was  one 
in  Dictation,  which  was  quite  new  to  the  large  company 
of  auditors,  and  excited  much  interest.  Two  or  more 
words  were  given,  and  a  complete  sentence  was  re 
quired  at  the  expiration  of  two  minutes.  Slates  and  pencils 
were  busily  employed  till  the  touch  of  the  bell,  when  one 
and  another  was  called  upon  to  read  her  sentence.  The 
pastors  present  were  asked  to  propose  words,  and  it  did 
one's  heart  good  to  see  the  eyes  of  the  husbands  glisten  as 
their  wives  arose,  and  modestly  read  what  had  been  so 
quickly  composed  and  written.  When  considerable  applause 
was  elicited,  the  husband's  face  said,  as  plainly  and  as 
proudly  as  if  the  words  had  been  spoken — "  That  is  my  wife  /" 
There  was  a  dignity  and  self-possession  in  the  deportment 
of  the  graduates  that  attracted  the  attention,  and  drew  forth 
the  commendation  of  all  who  were  interested  in  their 
progress. 

The  Doctrines  selected  for  examination  were  the  Trinity 
and  the  Atonement,  and  the  pastors  were  requested  to  ask 
any  questions  they  might  choose,  which  they  did,  testing  the 
class  very  thoroughly.  The  readiness  with  which  they 
answered,  and  their  apt  quotations  of  Scripture,  gave  much 
satisfaction  ;  and  while  they  spoke,  not  a  few  countenances 
were  all  aglow,  showing,  as  one  afterward  remarked,  that 
they  loved  those  truths,  and  had  received  them  into  their 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  629 


hearts.  And  I  looked  on,  and  wondered,  and  rejoiced  in 
the  transformation  wrought  (during  those  few  years)  in  so 
many  of  those  souls, — and  bodies  too  !  Their  manuscripts 
were  then  passed  among  the  Theological  students  and  pas 
tors,  and  closely  scanned  by  them,  only  one  mistake  being 
pointed  out,  and  that  in  phraseology.  In  Wayland's  Moral 
Science,  the  section  relating  to  Government  and  Law  excited 
much  interest*  Besides  the  customary  essays,  there  were 
two  dialogues  and  a  "School  Paper."  These  were  en 
tirely  new;  and  the  dialogues  especially,  attracted  atten 
tion,  treating  of  subjects  much  discussed  by  the  students 
of  the  Seminary,  viz. :  The  Study  of  English,  and  the 
Pastors'  Support.  I  had  given  the  plan,  and  a  few  lead 
ing  thoughts,  to  the  four  girls,  and  they  filled  them  out  in 
a  very  creditable  manner,  considering  their  youth,  and  in 
experience  in  that  line.  So  clearly  and  emphatically  were 
they  read,  in  conversational  tones,  that  not  a  word  was  lost, 
and  more  than  once  there  was  a  visible  sensation  in  the  au 
dience  (the  students  would  scarcely  credit  the  production  to 
the  readers,  believing  that  it  was  mostly  the  work  of  the 
Varzhoohi) !  The  Paper  was  read  by  the  two  assistant 
teachers;  it  contained  many  items  of  interest  respecting  the 
School  and  the  Lord's  Work  in  this  land: — A  list  of 
chapels  built  during  the  year,  or  in  process  of  erection,  by 

*  The  method  pursued  in  that  study  during  the  last  year,  was  par 
ticularly  helpful  in  the  prosecution  of  other  studies.  In  order  to  teach 
the  class  how  to  prepare  their  lessons,  we  took  it  as  a  daily  reading 
exercise.  After  a  sentence  orp'aragraphhad  been  read,  the  class  were 
requested  to  close  their  books,  and  one  and  another  was  called  upon 
to  give  the  central  thought  contained  in  that  passage.  Then  the  lead 
ing  words  were  scanned  till  the  wots  were  found  ;  and  after  this  dis 
secting  process,  the  paragraph  was  again  read  with  clearer  appre 
hension  and  new  pleasure. 


630  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


the  people  in  the  Harpoot  field.  An  account  of  the  former 
graduates  of  the  school ;  what  they  had  done  and  are  doing 
in  the  Master's  service.  A  report  of  the  various  Societies  in 
the  school ;  the  sum  of  three  hundred  piastres  having  been 
contributed  by  the  pupils,  of  which  one  hundred  and  thirty 
were  given  for  a  debt  on  a  village  chapel,  and  the  remainder 
appropriated  to  the  new  school  to  be  sustained  by  the  peo 
ple.  There  was  also  an  interesting  letter  from  one  of  the 
graduates  respecting  her  school  in  Bitlis,  and  the  good  work 
in  that  region,  three  of  her  boarding  pupils  coming  from 
Moosh.  There  were  a  few  little  bits  translated  from  English 
journals,  to  give  spice  and  variety,  and  the  "  latest  news 
from  Missionary  Wheeler,  no\v  in  America,  going  about  from 
city  to  city,  and  village  to  village  (as  he  was  wont  to  do 
here),  stirring  up  the  people  to  more  zeal  and  self-denial  in 
the  Master's  service."  Lastly,  notice  was  given  of  the  coming 
meeting  of  the  "  Harpoot  Evangelical  Union,"  at  Diarbekir, 
the  twenty-third  of  October,  and  of  an  expected  installation 
at  Mardin,  and,  it  was  hoped,  at  Bitlis  also.  At  the  close  of 
these  exercises,  which  had  been  varied  by  singing,  Pastor 
Marderos  presented  the  diplomas  to  a  class  of  fifteen  women 
and  girls,  as  they  modestly  stood  before  him.  His  remarks 
were  very  impressive.  Among  other  things,  he  said  he  well 
knew  that  every  one  would  take  with  her  one  or  more  evil 
spirits.  One  would  say,  "'  Now  you  are  somebody;  you 
have  been  educated,  and  are  able  to  do  what  others  cannot 
do,' "  thus  puffing  her  up  with  pride  and  self-conceit;  an 
other  would  whisper,  "'After  all,  what  has  your  time  in 
school  amounted  to  ?  You  know  but  very  little,  and  are 
not  fit  to  set  yourself  up  as  a  leader  to  others  !'"  He  warned 
them  of  the  dangers  that  lay  in  these  two  extremes,  and 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  631 

exhorted  them  to  keep  close  to  the  Master  in  the  simplicity 
of  faith,  saying  to  the  first  suggestion,  "  By  the  grace  of  God 
I  am  what  I  am;  and  only  through  Christ  can  I  do  any 
good;"  and  to  the  second,  "  Get  thee  behind  me,  Satan  !  I 
am  in  the  place  God  designed  for  me  ;  and  what  He  has 
taught  me,  I  will,  with  His  help,  teach  to  others  !"  As  each 
one  stepped  forward  and  gracefully  received  her  diploma,  I 
could  scarcely  look  upon  that  dear,  very  dear  company, 
without  tears, — that  I  should  never  more  teach  them  the 
words  of  Eternal  Life.  When  they  returned  to  their  seats, 
we  sang,  "  Sow  in  the  morn  thy  seed."  Several  of  the  other 
pastors  present  followed  in  excellent  and  practical  addresses. 
Their  hearts  seemed  to  overflow  with  joy  at  what  they  had 
seen  and  heard ;  and  yet  they  felt  that  much  danger  lay  in 
the  future.  Said  one,  u  Our  joy  is  not  yet  full.  We  shall 
wait  to  see  your  future  course — what  you  will  actually  do 
when  you  go  out  into  the  world  again.  It  may  be  that  some 
of  you  will  cause  us  to  hang  our  heads  for  shame ;  you  may 
so  conduct  yourselves  as  to  make  your  teachers  say,  '  Would 
they  had  never  entered  this  school !'  " 

The  missionaries  then  addressed  the  school, — Mr.  Williams 
through  Mr.  H.  N.  Barnum — in  one  of  his  characteristic  and 
telling  speeches.  Referring  to  the  means  used  to  promote 
growth  in  grace,  he  enjoined  upon  all,  and  especially  those  who 
were  now  thrown  upon  their  own  responsibility,  to  practice 
spiritual  rumination, — meditation  during  each  and  every  day, 
upon  the  morning  reading  of  God's  Word,  be  it  ever  so 
small  a  portion :  Alluding  to  the  ruminating  of  cows  and 
buffaloes.  Our  new  brother,  Mr.  H.  S.  Barnum,  also  made 
a  brief  and  pleasant  speech  by  the  aid  of  his  namesake's 
tongue.  And  Mr.  H.  N.  Barnum  gave  a  most  solemn  and 


632  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


thrilling  turn  to  his  closing  remarks  by  pointing  to  the 
great  Examination  Day  awaiting  us  all,  when  the  Master 
will  give  His  "  Diplomas  "  in  the  words,  "  Well  done,  good 
and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord  1" 
The  effect  was  electrical. 

THE  FAREWELL. 

The  next  morning — Friday — the  school  assembled  for  a 
"farewell  meeting,"  the  graduates  being  seated  by  them 
selves.  I  read  portions  of  Scripture  which  I  wished  them  to 
mark  in  their  Bibles,  and  often  read ;  and  then  reviewed  the 
past  three  years — looking  forward  to  their  future,  and  to 
Eternity.  It  was  a  solemn  season,  and  we  all  wept  together, 
Then  Maranos  spoke  of  our  pleasant  relations,  and  what  a 
joy  and  comfort  some  of  those  dear  women  had  been  to 
her;  and,  as  I  had  addressed  her  as  my  "faithful  fellow- 
worker,  without  the  aid  of  whose  influence,  much  of  my 
labor  would  have  been  lost," — she  now  turned  to  me  and 
said  that  I  had  been  "  a  mother,  and  more  than  a  mother  to 
her."  Sadie  next  addressed  the  company, — fifty  in  number. 
She  told  them  how  great  had  been  her  desire  to  see  the 
Training-School  at  Harpoot,  and  when  God  brought  her 
there  to  take  a  part  in  it,  her  joy  at  its  prosperity  was  very 
great.  She  gave  some  excellent  words  of  counsel,  and  then 
led  us  to  the  mercy-seat  in  a  fervent  prayer.  Fatima,  of 
Diarbekir,  followed  in  such  an  outpouring  of  soul  in  suppli 
cation,  thanksgiving,  and  praise,  as  could  only  come  from  the 
indwelling  of  the  Spirit  of  all  grace  !  I  was  amazed,  hum 
bled,  and  rejoiced.  Misses  Seymour  and  Warfield  were 
both  present,  and  said  a  few  words,  through  me — asking  the 
prayers  of  the  school  for  their  success  in  the  study  of  the  Ian- 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.,  633 

guage  during  the  Winter ;  and  I  followed  with  a  few  words 
about  the  homes  and  friends  which  they  had  recently  left — 
what  it  is  to  give  up  all  for  Christ. 

After  they  were  dismissed,  I  saw  the  good  Preacher  Simeon- 
surrounded  by  a  group  of  the  girls,  in  earnest  and  apparent 
ly  solemn  conversation.  He  soon  after  requested  an  inter 
view,  and  asked  me  if  there  was  one  among  our  pupils  who 
would  be  willing  to  go  and  labor  for  Christ  in  Moosh.  Wishing 
to  test  them  all,  I  went  down-stairs  and  said,  "  B.  Simeon 
desires  to  know  whether  any  among  you  are  ready  to  go  and 
serve  the  Master  in  the  dark  regions  beyond!"  The  word 
flew  from  room  to  room,  and  five  answered  to  the  call,  with 
faces  so  bright  and  joyous  that  one  have  thought  some  great 
happiness  had  come  to  them.  They  almost  ran  to  meet  the 
preacher.  It  was  no  idle  enthusiasm.  They  had  counted  the 
cost,  and  received  this  message  as  a  direct  answer  to  prayer. 

It  reminded  one  of  Secretary  Anderson,  or  Secretary 
Clark  going  to  Mount  Holyoke  Seminary  for  missionary 
teachers.  Most  kindly  and  faithfully  did  B.  Simeon  place 
the  difficulties  of  such  an  undertaking  before  them,  por 
traying  the  trials  which  they  would  be  obliged  to  endure 
among  a  people  so  low,  degraded,  and  ignorant  He  told 
them  of  his  wife's  experience  in  Khanoos,  where  their  first 
child  was  born  in  a  stable  partly  under  ground,  dark  and 
dirty.  How  the  water  leaked  from  the  earth  above,  and  was 
kept  from  her  bed  by  a  shelving  board.  And  then  he  spoke 
of  the  blessedness  of  sowing  Gospel  seed,  and  gave  them  en 
couragement  to  hope  that  it  would  one  day  spring  up  and 
bear  fruit.  The  visit  with  this  godly  man  made  me  realize 
the  importance  of  keeping  alive  the  bond  of  sympathy  between 
our  pupils  and  the  pastors  among  their  own  people 

27* 


634  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


Saturday  morning  came,  and  I  was  invited  to  meet  some 
"  friends  "  in  Mrs.  Allen's  parlor.  I  found  there  assembled 
the  class  of  graduates,  who  greeted  me  most  cordially,  and 
conducted  me  to  a  seat  of  honor.  After  a  few  moments  of 
pleasant  chatting,  Fatima  advanced,  and  in  behalf  of  the  class, 
presented  me  with  a  handsome  silver  "  back-comb  "  (suitably 
inscribed),  as  a  "testimonial  of  their  grateful  affection." 
She  added,  as  the  tears  started  to  her  eyes,  "  We  owe  you 
more  than  words  or  gifts  can  tell !"  The  class  looked  very 
joyful,  and  expressed  the  wish  that  I  would  "  wear  it  every 
day."*  It  was  a  perfect  surprise.  I  had  no  thought  of  their 
attempting  anything  of  the  kind,  and  told  them  so ;  and  that  I 
did  not  seek  theirs,  but  them  :  That,  much  as  I  prized  this 
proof  of  their  affection,  there  were  other  expressions  far  more 
precious,  forever  engraven  upon  my  heart,  in  words  and  deeds, 
perhaps  forgotten  by  them, — little  tokens  of  love  and  sym 
pathy — which  had  cheered  me  more  than  treasures  of  gold  or 
silver  !  And  I  could  say  in  all  sincerity,  that  I  loved  them 
very  tenderly ;  and  were  it  not  for  the  hope  of  meeting  them  in 
the  Beyond,  when  our  earthly  work  should  be  done,  the  part 
ing  would  be  very  sad. 

The  class  also  presented  Maranos  with  a  silver  pen-holder, 
prettily  inscribed,  and  she  responded  to  their  kind  words. 

Finding  that  there  would  be  no  social  gathering  of  the 
graduates  this  year,  I  resolved  to  get  up  a  "  Reunion  "  myself. 
The  school-room  furniture  was  removed,  and  carpets,  rugs, 
chairs,  tables, — with  pictures,  flowers,  and  lamps  suspended 
upon  the  pillars  and  walls,  quite  changed  the  aspect  of  the  place. 


*  This  they  had  gotten  up  entirely  among  themselves, — no  one  out 
side  the  class  knowing  of  it.  Taking  a  comb  of  horn  to  the  silver 
smith,  they  had  him  try  till  he  succeeded  in  suiting  their  wishes. 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  635 

A  liberal  supply  of  bread  and  grapes  was  procured  from  the 
market,  and  native  sweetmeats,  with  tea,  were  provided  for 
the  entertainment.  The  guests  came,  at  the  ringing  of  the 
chapel  bell,  just  after  sunset :  The  students  of  both  schools, 
Arabs,  Koords,  and  all,  married  and  unmarried,  besides  the 
pastors,  preachers,  and  teachers  who  were  in  the  city,  with 
their  wives — making,  with  the  missionary  families,  a  company 
of  about  one  hundred  and  eighty  souls.  In  fact,  we  were  too 
crowded  to  allow  of  that  stiff,  formal  gathering  of  the  men  on 
one  side,  and  the  women  on  the  other,  which  had  been  cus 
tomary.  The  principal  entertainment  was  singing,  with  the 
melodeon  (accompanied,  now  and  then,  by  a  flute  and  violin). 
All  seemed  at  home,  and  the  conversation  was  pleasant  and 
unrestrained.  It  was  good  to  see  our  new  sister-teachers 
mingling  with  the  crowd  (most  of  whom  sat  on  the  floor),  and 
endeavoring  to  make  use  of  their  freshly-acquired  Armenian. 
Glancing  in  that  direction,  I  saw  Marineh  lightly  touch  B.  Mar- 
deros,  of  Malatia,  as  she  said  to  Miss  Seymour,  "  This  is  my  pas 
tor"  That  word  and  look  was  more  than  a  sermon  to  my  mind  : 
It  spoke  volumes  for  the  endearing  relation  of  pastor  and  people. 
Mr.  Williams  entered  heartily  into  the  spirit  of  the  evening,  and 
I  saw  him  trying  to  converse  with  B.  Simeon,  of  Bitlis  :  As  his 
language  was  Arabic,  and  his  stock  of  Turkish  words  was 
limited,  he  requested  me  to  ask  the  brother  from  Bitlis  how  he 
would  enjoy  being  really  settled  over  his  flock,  drawing  his 
support  from  them.  And  when  the  good  man  said  that  he  had 
been  thinking  much  about  it  since  he  came  to  Harpoot ;  and, 
now  that  he  felt  it  was  the  will  of  God,  he  could  no  longer 
withhold  his  consent,  Mr.  Williams  was  overjoyed,  and  ex 
claimed,  "  Glory  to  God  !"  Adding,  "  There  is  no  more  blessed 
work  on  earth  than  that  of  a  loving  and  beloved  pastor  of  a 


636  THE   ROMANCE  OF   MISSIONS. 

loving  people.  Your  beard  is  still  black  ;  you  may  yet  bring 
hundreds  into  the  kingdom." 

In  the  course  of  the  evening  "  Come  to  Jesus  "  was  sung  by 
the  six  Koords  (or  Koordish-speaking  Armenians)  now  sup 
ported  by  the  "Union."  Soon  the  Syrian  students  joined, 
with  their  Howadji,  in  Arabic ;  then  the  Armenians,  and  oth 
ers,  in  Turkish  and  English,  till  all  were  singing  in  five  differ 
ent  tongues  !  Pastor  Marderos,  of  Malatia,  was  requested  to 
conduct  the  closing  exercise ;  and  he  directed  our  thoughts  to 
the  great  company  of  the  Redeemed,  by  reading  a  chapter  of 
Revelation.  He  spoke  with  much  pathos  ;  said  that  he  could 
think  of  nothing  but  Heaven  all  the  evening  ;  and  in  a  few 
chosen  words,  caused  us  to  look  forward  to  an  eternal  reunion 
in  the  presence  of  our  Lord  and  Savior.  We  sang,  "Joyfully, 
joyfully,  onward  we  move,"  and  then  united  with  him  in  prayer. 

It  was  half-past  ten  o'clock  when  all  had  departed.  At 
leaving,  each  one  came  to  thank  me  for  the  pleasure  enjoyed. 
Their  faces  expressed  even  more  than  their  words.  Sadie  said 
it  had  been  a  "sweet  evening;"  others  remarked  that  it  was 
the  pleasantest  evening  they  had  ever  enjoyed,  and  that  they 
could  never  forget  it.  The  missionaries  voted  it  a  "  success ;" 
and  I  was  more  than  satisfied  ;  so  happy  that  I  could  not  sleep, 
that  night,  for  very  joy  ! 

FINISHING   TOUCHES. 

Sunday  was  a  blessed  day  !  The  Anniversary  sermon  in  the 
morning,  by  Pastor  Hagop,  of  Hculakegh,  was  excellent,  and 
full  of  the  apostolic  spirit ;  and  in  the  afternoon  we  had  a  pre 
cious  season  of  Communion  around  the  Master's  table. 

It  was  interesting  to  see,  in  that  crowded  chapel,  so  many 
of  both  schools,  to  whom  it  was  a  special  preparation  for  the 


SOWING  AND   REAPING    IN   ARMENIA.  637 

service  upon  which  they  were  soon  to  enter.  B.  Simeon  offered 
the  closing  prayer,  and  to  the  petition,  "  May  we  all  grow  gray 
in  the  service  of  Christ,  enduring  hardness  as  good  soldiers," 
our  hearts  responded,  "Amen  /" 

Monday  brought  a  constant  succession  of  callers  to  my 
room  to  say  good-bye ;  in  the  afternoon  three  of  the  pastors 
came,  with  a  couple  of  laymen,  to  examine  five  of  our  girls 
for  admission  to  the  church.  These  girls  belonged  to  other 
towns,  but  it  seemed  wise  that  the  examination  should  take 
place  where  they  had  professed  to  have  commenced  a  new  life  ; 
and  B.  Simeon  particularly  wished  it  in  his  daughter's  case. 
I  was  much  gratified  with  the  appearance  of  the  girls,  and 
queried  whether  the  "  Committee"  had  ever  before  received 
so  intelligent  and  prompt,  yet  modest  replies,  from  that  class 
of  candidates.  They  seemed  quite  affected  by  some  of  the 
answers  given  to  their  close  and  searching  questions.  [Three 
of  the  girls  were  accepted,  and  the  others  advised  to  wait 
awhile.]  Manoosh,  especially,  appeared  wonderfully  well.  Her 
mind  had  undergone  a  marked  transformation  by  the  inwork- 
ing  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  to  nothing  else  could  I  attribute  such 
a  waking  up  of  intellect  and  heart.  She  was  most  anxious  to 
go  to  Moosh ;  and  they  wished  to  know  the  impelling  motive 
of  her  desire  to  labor  in  that  dark  and  distant  region  ;  why  she 
could  not  as  well  serve  Christ  in  her  native  town,  where  were 
plenty  of  souls  as  precious  and  as  needy.  At  last  she  could 
say  no  more ;  she  had  said  all  that  she  could  say  with  pro 
priety,  when  an  older  companion  very  discreetly  remarked, 
"  Manoosh  cannot  well  state  the  reason  why  it  is  better  for  her 
to  work  elsewhere.  She  has  seen  other  graduates  of  the  school 
there  turned  aside  from  Christ's  work,  and  she  fears  that  if  she 
remains  at  home,  it  will  be  the  same  with  herself."  This  sent 


638  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


a  few  quiet  drops  from  Manoosh's  eyes  ;  the  pastors  were  very 
sympathetic,  and  said  at  once,  "Ah,  we  understand  it  now." 
Strangely  enough,  I  had  failed  to  see  her  difficulty,  and  helped 
to  probe  the  case  even  more  closely ;  not  thinking  of  the  dan 
ger  which  was  now  very  evident,  of  worldly  friends  marrying 
her  to  some  one  in  common  business  life. 

The  missionaries  had  tried  to  guard  against  this  from  the 
commencement,  by  making  a  rule  that  every  pupil  educated 
at  the  expense  of  the  Board,  should  teach  for  two  years  after 
finishing  her  course  of  study  ;  and  that  if  she  was  married  to 
other  than  a  helper  or  preacher,  the  sum  expended  should  be 
refunded.  This  was  actually  done  in  one  or  two  cases;  a 
merchant  in  town  bringing  a  sum  of  money  and  a  watch  to  the 
missionaries,  because  he  had  taken  for  his  own  worldly  self 
one  of  our  educated  and  trained  maidens  !  The  rule,  however, 
served  its  purpose  as  a  safeguard ;  for  one  such  example  made 
others  more  wary !  But  it  is  delightful  to  note  the  change  in 
public  opinion.  "Educated  wives"  are  esteemed  the  more 
highly  from  the  very  fact  of  their  scarcity  and  choiceness.  The 
people  have  sometimes  said,  "You  missionaries  have  angels 
for  wives  !"  "  Very  well,"  was  the  reply.  "  Christianize  and 
educate  the  daughters  of  the  land,  and  you  also  can  have  '  an 
gels  for  wives  ! '"  And  the  mothers,  even  of  the  Old  Church 
Armenians,  are  now  anxious  to  secure  Protestant  husbands  for 
their  daughters,  "because,"  they  say,  "they  are  kind  to  their 
wives"  The  close  of  a  school-year  is  generally  signalized  by 
matrimonial  engagements,  and  perhaps  a  wedding  or  two 
among  our  students.  And,  as  of  old,  my  aid  has  often  been 
called  in  requisition.  It  seemed  rather  remarkable,  however, 
that  the  first  case  which  presented  itself  after  my  arrival  in  this 
region,  was  that  of  the  disconsolate  preacher  who  lost  the  prize 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  639 

upon  which  he  had  fixed  his  eyes,  when  a  theologue  at  Con 
stantinople.  He  came  on  from  Sivas,  where  he  was  stationed, 
and  finally  carried  back  with  him  a  fair,  blue-eyed  damsel,  who 
healed  the  old  wound  in  his  heart  ! 


THE   SEQUEL   OF  SUMMER    WORK. 

That  same  evening  one  of  the  students  came  with  his  wife 
to  my  room,  and  remained  for  four  hours  in  earnest  conversa 
tion.  He  was  evidently  disaffected  ;  for  he  wanted  more  Eng 
lish  and  less  Bible  !  A  man  of  talent,  but  of  a  worldly  spirit. 
I  advised  him  to  go  to  Robert  College,*  at  Constantinople, 
where  he  could  get  all  he  desired,  by  paying  for  it ;  but  this 

he  did  not  seemed  inclined  to  do But  it  is  all  over  at 

last !  We  have  seen  the  schools  disbanded,  and  watched  a  large 
cavalcade  of  missionaries,  pastors,  preachers,  teachers,  delegates 
from  the  various  churches  (and  students  to  be  examined  for 
licensure),  leaving  the  city  to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  Evan 
gelical  Union  at  Diarbekir,  whence  they  will  proceed  to  Mar- 


*  That  College,  for  all  nationalities,  founded  by  Christopher  R. 
Robert,  Esq.,  of  New  York  (though  without  the  slightest  intention  of 
having  his  name  connected  with  it, — which  was,  in  fact,  done  without 
his  knowledge  or  consent,  as  the  Constantinople  trustees  esteemed 
it  the  least  obnoxious  to  the  Turkish  Government), — has  already 
acquired  a  name  and  a  wide -spread  fame  thoughout  the  country 
under  the  administration  of  its  well-known  President,  Dr.  Hamlin, 
whose  varied  and  remarkable  gifts  have  made  him  a  power  in  the 
land,  alike  admired  and  feared  by  Government  officials,  who  have 
tried  in  vain  to  thwart  his  plans.  "  When  will  that  man  die  ?"  cried 
an  indignant  Pasha,  who  had  repeatedly  sought  to  crush  his  efforts, 
only  to  see  them  renewed  in  some  other  form,  and  despaired  of  doing 
anything  with  such  uncommon  material  I  As  a  self-supporting  insti 
tution,  it  is  a  complete  success.  And  its  two  hundred  students, 
comprising  Turks,  Greeks,  Jews,  Armenians,  Bulgarians,  and  others, 
sometimes  amounting  to  seventeen  nationalities,  are  fitting  for  the  high 
places  of  power  and  influence  in  the  East. 


640  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

din,  and  then  to  Bitlis :  An  "Army  of  the  Lord,"  whose  pro 
gress  through  the  country  will  leave  in  its  train,  not  devastation 
and  famine,  but  the  richest  blessings  which  the  Gospel  can 
bestow.  And  as  we  close  the  window,  take  a  seat  in  an  arm 
chair,  and  fold  our  hands  in  quiet,  we  draw  a  long  breath,  and 
ejaculate  (as  we  were  wont  to  hear  our  mirthful  "  Father  Good- 
ell,"  in  former  days,  when  he  had  seen  a  company  fairly  started 
upon  their  journey),  "  i  And  the  land  had  rest  forty  years  P  " 
[How  we  miss  the  charming  letters  from  that  facile  pen,  since 
he  joined  the  company  of  the  Redeemed  ! 

In  his  "farewell"  to  me  on  leaving  the  country,  he  wrote, 
"  And  shall  I  never  see  you  again  this  side  Heaven  ?  Well, 
I  hope  through  grace  to  you  and  to  us,  we  shall  meet  there  • 
and  meet  many  other  dear  friends  too — and  more  especially 
HIM  whom  we  have  long  known  and  professed  to  love,  and 
through  whose  infinite  kindness  it  is  that  we  have  ever  learned 
the  blessed  truth,  that  'he  who  dwellcth  in  love,  dwellcth  in 

God,  and  GOD  IN  HIM.' We  are  now  in  the  midst  of 

packing,  and  selling,  preparatory  to  our  removal.  You  can 
hardly  conceive  what  an  amount  of  '  takum-makum' — of  pure 
trash — I  have,  which  is  not  worth  the  carrying  away,  nor  worth 
the  burning  up — if  you  have  to  purchase  the  fuel.  Such,  I  sup 
pose,  is  the  character  of  a  great  deal  of  our  Religion,  which  we 
are  at  great  pains  to  carry  with  us  all  through  the  world,  but 
which  we  can  never  cross  the  Jordan  with ;  and  the  sooner  we 
get  rid  of  it,  the  better  !  Let  us  hold  to  this,— 

"  I'm  a  poor  sinner,  just  nothing  at  all, 
But  Jesus  Christ  is  my  all  in  all."  .... 

Everything  else  we  may  let  go,  being  better  without  than  with 
it And  now,  my  dear  child,  farewell,  till  we  meet  again, — • 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  641 

"  On  the  other  side  of  Jordan, 
In  the  sweet  fields  of  Eden, 
Where  the  tree  of  Life  doth  bloom."]  .... 

"  Well,  if  one  ever  feels  that  he  is  a  '  poor  sinner,  just  noth 
ing  at  ally  it  is  after  such  a  prolonged  strain  as  this  !  There 
comes  such  a  season  of  depression,  that  it  makes  you  doubt 
whether,  after  all,  you  are  a  Christian  !  Who  knows  ?  All 
this  activity  may  be  merely  the  result  of  natural  energy,  and 
the  work  accomplished  so  much  '  wood,  hay,  stubble,'  which 
shall  be  burned  up  at  last.  '  For,  the  Day  shall  declare  it ; 
and  the  fire  shall  try  every  man's  work  of  what  sort  it  is.'" 

"Oh,  yes;  we  all  know  that  you  are  a  ' great  sinner'!" 
says  the  Howadji,  laughing.  "  I  have  been  watching  for  this, 
or  for  an  illness,  the  last  few  weeks ;  and  I  think  that  the  best 
course  to  be  pursued  now,  is  to  show  his  Satanic  Majesty  the 
back  door,  as  quickly  as  possible  !" 

The  question  of  my  departure  is  again  revived  by  letters 
from  Marsovan.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leonard  are  going  home  in 
the  early  Spring,  their  first  vacation  after  ten  years  of  unwearied 
service  ;  they  are  very  solicitious  that  I  should  accompany 
them, — and  Mr.  L.  will  come  to  Sivas  to  meet  me,  if  an  escort 
can  be  obtained  to  that  city.  And  a  letter  from  the  motherly 
friend  in  New  York,  says,  "Pack  your  trunks  at  once,  and 
go  to  England !  As  long  as  you  stay  there,  they  will  keep 
you  at  work."  (It  is  the  first  approach  to  a  command,  or  even 

an  injunction,  received  from  that  source.) The  escort 

is  found,  in  a  young  physician  lately  added  to  our  staff  of  mis 
sionaries,  and  rny  preparations  are  being  made,  when  one 
Saturday,  two  of  the  women  come  to  my  room,  and  before 
they  can  make  known  the  object  of  their  call,  burst  into  tears. 
"What  is  the  matter?"  I  inquire.  "  Oh,  we  hear  that  you  are 


6|2  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


going  away  !"  And  for  a  moment  they  can  say  nothing  more, 
but  hand  me  a  letter  written  by  one  of  the  preachers,  in  behalf 
of  all  the  others,  as  also  of  the  School.  "  Stay  one  year  longer," 
they  plead,  "till  the  new  teachers  are  ready  for  the  work,  and 
then  if  you  must  go,  we  will  say  no  more."  I  promise  to 
to  consider  the  subject  prayerfully,  and  they  leave.  Sunday  is 
given  to  the  consideration  of  the  matter,  and  before  the  night, 
I  conclude  to  remain.  (It  afterward  appeared  that  these 
women  and  others  had  observed  that  day  in  fasting  and  prayer.) 
Duty  to  myself  seems  to  call  me  away  ;  but  there  are  times 
when  self  must  be  sacrificed  for  the  "greatest  good  of  the 
greatest  number." 

November  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and  for  two  or  more 
weeks  no  tidings  had  come  from  the  absent  Badvelis,  who  were 
traveling  through  a  dangerous  and  desolate  region.  Our  appre 
hensions  for  their  safety  were  growing  very  decided  and  pain 
ful,  when  one  morning  they  made  their  appearance.  They 
looked,  indeed,  like  battered  soldiers,  returned  from  the  war  ! 
The  Apostle's  experience  "  in  joumeyings  often,"  was  literally 
theirs  ;  for  they  had  passed  through  perils  in  fording  rivers, 
perils  by  "  false  brethren,"  or  guides,  and  perils  by  robbers. 
And  the  youngest  of  the  three,  fresh  from  College  and  Semi 
nary  life, — to  whom  this  initiation  into  the  hardships  and 
exposures  of  missionary  life  had  been  very  abrupt  and  severe, — 
seemed  utterly  exhausted,  and  staggered  against  the  wall,  as 
if  unable  to  stand.  The  older  missionaries  were  somewhat 
hardened  to  it,  but  this  journey  was,  even  to  them,  a  very  try 
ing  experience.  It  is  so  much  trouble  and  expense  to  carry 
beds,  that  they  burden  themselves  with  as  little  as  possible  ; 
a  traveling  shawl  for  a  covering,  and  saddle-bags  for  pillows, 
is  about  all  that  they  use  in  that  line.  This  may  do  for  a  night 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  643 

or  two,  but  when  it  extends  to  weeks  of  hard  travel  in  mission 
ary  tours  demanding  incessant  labor,  added  to  irregular,  and 
often  very  poor  fare,  it  is  hard  to  "  flesh  and  blood ;"  and  they 
grow  old  fast.  It  appeared  that  on  this  journey  they  had  gone 
without  the  usual  stimulus  and  cheer  of  tea,  because  of  the 
large  company  with  whom  they  were  traveling.  And  the  milk, 
which  they  procured  as  a  substitute,  was  often  poor.  In  fact, 
the  country  through  which  they  passed  was  so  poverty-stricken, 
that  they  scarcely  found  anything  in  the  shape  of  food  or  lodg 
ings  which  could  be  called  comfortable.  Pastor  Marderos  told 
us  that  he  never  yet  had  seen  any  of  his  countrymen  so  poor, 
as  a  class,  that  they  could  not  afford  beds,  or  clothing  sufficient 
to  cover  their  nakedness.  "  We  parted  with  every  garment  of 
our  own  that  we  could  spare  for  them,"  he  said,  referring  to 
himself  and  his  brother  pastors. 

A  few  weeks  later,  Mr.  H.  S.  Barnum  was  prostrated  with 
typhoid  fever  of  the  most  alarming  character ;  and  when  his  natu 
rally  strong  constitution  rallied,  and  he  was  beginning  to  appear 
among  us  once  more,  his  wife  (who  had  cared  for  him  when  only 
her  voice  and  hand  could  soothe)  was  suddenly  taken  ill,  and  in 
one  short  week,  was  laid  to  rest  by  the  side  of  her  infant,  pre 
maturely  born  :  In  less  than  one  short  year,  a  bride,  a  wife,  a 
missionary,  a  mother,  an  angel ! 

At  the  same  time  Mrs.  Williams  was  lying  very  low  in  an 
other  part  of  the  same  house  : — And  during  that  period  the  doc 
tor  ordered  a  "  quarantine  "  for  all  who  were  not  in  necessary  at 
tendance  upon  the  dying  one,  who  he  feared  had  some  conta 
gious  disease  (much  resembling  confluent  small-pox).  Words 
can  never  picture  the  trying  scenes  of  those  weeks  !  But  the 
storm  passed  over,  and  again  we  rejoiced  in  the  mercy  and 
goodness  that  left  us  so  many  blessings. 


644  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


HOC  F.LI,   AND  IfAJI  ANNA. 

Soon  after  my  arrival  at  Harpoot,  Mr.  Wheeler  invited  me 
to  join  him  in  a  ride  to  the  village  of  Hooeli,  two  or  three 
hours  distant.  It  appeared  that  the  people  of  that  place  were 
very  bigoted,  and  had  long  resisted  the  introduction  of  the 
Gospel ;  but  now  the  leaven  had  so  spread,  that  the  little  band 
of  Protestants  there  gathered,  were  ready  and  anxious  for  the 
building  of  a  chapel.  We  had  a  rapid  and  pleasant  ride  over 
the  plain,  and  while  the  Badveli  was  surveying  the  ground  for 
the  new  house  of  worship,  I  clambered  up  a  rude  ladder  to  the 
roof,  where  the  helper  had  his  room.  None  of  the  missionary 
ladies  had  ever  visited  Hooeli,  and  I  was  an  object  of  much 
curiosity  and  interest  to  the  women.  They  swarmed  around 
me  like  so  many  bees,  examining  and  chattering  about  every 
article  of  dress  which  was  to  them  new  and  strange.  A  num 
ber  of  them  carried  their  children  on  their  shoulders,  and 
stood,  gaping,  with  open  eyes  and  mouths  ;  and  altogether 
that  company  of  twenty  or  thirty  women  and  girls  seemed  more 
rude  and  uncivilized  than  any  whom  I  had  yet  seen  around 
Harpoot.  With  some  difficulty,  they  were  persuaded  to  enter 
the  room,  and  be  seated,  while  I  read  a  few  verses  from  the 
Testament ;  but  new  ones  were  coming  in,  and  others  running 
out  and  laughing,  till  I  almost  despaired  of  doing  any  good. 
Finally,  I  said,  "Wouldn't  you  like  to  learn  a  little  prayer?" 
The  idea  of  their  saying  a  prayer  was  something  entirely  new. 
They  had  supposed  that  the  priest  must  do  their  praying  for 
them,  in  the  church,  and  therefore  asked,  "  How  can  we  pray, 
when  we  are  not  learned  ?"  "  I  will  teach  you  a  little  prayer," 
I  answered,  "  if  you  will  only  be  quiet  for  a  few  moments."  This 
pleased  them,  and  I  at  once  repeated  a  translation  of  Watts' 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  645 

"  Lord,  teach  a  little  child  to  pray" — changing  it  to  "Lord, 
teach  this  poor  sinner  how  to  pray  ;"  the  syllables  being  the 
same  in  Armenian.  Giving  them  one  line  at  a  time,  very 
slowly  and  distinctly,  they  were  soon  engaged  in  repeating  it  in 
concert,  swaying  the  body  back  and  forth,  and  nodding  their 
heads  at  one  another,  like  so  many  rampant  school-children. 
Now  and  then  I  would  pause,  and  explain  the  meaning  of  the 
words, — the  remainder  of  which  were,  in  substance, — "And  send 
Thy  Holy  Spirit  down,  to  cleanse  my  sinful  heart."  By-and- 
by  one  of  the  women  cried  out,  "  I  can  say  it  !"  "Well,  let 
us  hear  you."  She  broke  down,  however,  causing  a  general 
laugh  ;  but  in  a  few  moments  another  repeated  it  correctly, which 
inspired  all  the  rest,  and  they  exclaimed,  "  Let  us  say  it  some 
more  !"  And  then  one,  and  another,  and  still  another  recited 
the  verse  without  a,  mistake.  Word  was  now  brought  that  the 
Badveli  was  ready  to  go  ;  so  I  bade  them  not  forget  what  they 
had  learned,  but  say  it  over  and  over  a  hundred  times  a  day — 
in  the  cotton  or  tobacco  fields,  or  the  vineyards  ;  at  their 
spinning  or  weaving,  or  scrubbing,  whatever  they  were  doing, 
to  lift  their  hearts  in  prayer  to  God,  and  to  remember  that  if 
they  really  wanted  what  they  asked,  He  would  surely  give  it  to 
them,  for  He  looked  right  into  their  hearts,  and  could  tell 
whether  they  were  in  earnest.  As  I  bade  them  good-bye,  they 

inquired  my  name,  that  they  might  remember  me 

Two  years  passed  away  ;  and  for  the  second  time  I  visited 
the  village  in  company  with  Mr.  Wheeler.  It  was  during  the 
Revival,  and  Hooeli  had  shared  in  the  blessing.  We  were 
received  at  the  house  of  two  of  the  leading  Protestants,  men 
of  influence  and  property,  who  had  freely  spent  their  time  and 
money  to  promote  the  cause  of  Christ  among  their  people. 
Their  mother,  Haji  Anna,  was  about  sixty  years  of  age,  strong, 


646  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


thrifty,  and  rather  rough,  if  not  coarse  in  her  way  of  speaking  ; 
evidently  a  woman  of  acknowledged  force  and  power  among 
her  own  sex.  She  had  been  very  bitter  against  the  truth  from 
the  first,  and  raved  at  her  two  sons,  Peter  and  Paul,  for  expend 
ing  their  money  so  freely  in  building  the  chapel. 

It  was  almost  time  for  the  evening  meeting,  and  Boghos, 
who  wished  to  honor  his  guests,  proceeded  to  make  us  a  cup 
of  tea.  His  business  frequently  took  him  to  Erzeroom,  and  he 
had  brought  home  a  few  pounds  of  the  fragrant  herb,  also  the 
small  sheet-iron  stove,  by  which  we  were  sitting.  When  the  tea 
was  prepared,  he  poured  it  into  a  glass  (after  the  Russian  fash 
ion),  and  dropping  in  a  lump  of  sugar,  stirred  it  with  a  pewter 
spoon,  and  then  tasted  it ;  this  he  repeated  half  a  dozen  times, 
and  then  with  a  triumphant  air  (as  if  fully  posted  in  our  cus 
tom  of  serving  the  ladies  first),  handed  it  to  me  !  Greatly  to 
his  discomfiture,  I  was  obliged  to  tell  him  that  I  never  took 
sugar  in  my  tea  (which  wras  very  true).  And  he  seemed 
amazed,  for  according  to  his  idea,  that  was  the  best  part  of  it ! 
As  we  passed  from  roof  to  roof  the  length  of  the  street,  on  our 
way  to  the  meeting,  a  woman  came  out  from  her  inner  stairway, 
and  the  bride  (wife  of  Boghos),  said,  "That  woman  remembers 
you,  and  the  prayer  that  you  taught  us !" — So  much  had  oc 
curred  to  occupy  my  mind  during  the  interval,  that  I  had  for 
gotten  the  particulars  of  that  visit.  The  neighbor  came  toward 
us,  and  at  once  remembered  me,  stopping  there  under  the  stars, 
to  repeat  the  little  prayer.  We  descended  a  ladder,  crossed 
the  muddy  street,  and  entered  the  chapel.  The  house  was 
nearly  filled,  with  a  quiet  and  orderly  assembly  of  men  and  wom 
en.  Cushions  had  been  piled  up  for  me  at  one  side  of  the 
pulpit,  on  the  women's  side,  but  I  drew  one  of  them  away  and 
sat  down  among  them,  at  which  they  were  pleased.  It  was  the 


SOWING  AND    REAPING  IN  ARMENIA.  647 

evening  of  Friday,  and  Mr.  Wheeler  gave  a  very  practical  dis 
course  on  fasting,  suited  to  their  need, — for  a  most  fast-ridden 
people  are  the  people  of  Hooeli ! — and  when  the  meeting  was 
ended,  the  women  gathered  around,  with  smiles  of  recognition. 
"  This  is  the  Maritsa  that  we  have  been  wanting  to  see  !"  they 
said,  adding,  "We  remember  the  little  prayer  that  you  taught 
us  !"  And  one  and  another  repeated  it,  asking,"  Do  you  re 
member  me  ?"  as  they  pressed  closer  and  closer.  The  fact  was, 
I  remembered  but  one,  who  had  lost  the  sight  of  an  eye,  and 
had  a  very  peculiar  face,  which  had  impressed  itself  on  my 
mind  ;  but  I  did  not  wish  to  hurt  them  by  saying  so,  and  my 
surprise  and  pleasure  at  their  progress  diverted  their  attention. 
The  next  day  I  was  much  surprised  when  Haji  Anna  took 
her  seat  by  my  side,  and  said,  "  I  know  nothing ;  teach  me, 
pray  for  me  !"  When  I  told  her  that  she  must  pray  for  her 
self,  she  replied,  "  I  can't ;  I  don't  know  how  !"  I  taught 
her  the  little  prayer  in  verse,  and  she  repeated  again  and 
again,  "  Lord,  teach  this  poor  sinner  how  to  pray,  and  send 
thy  Holy  Spirit  down  to  cleanse  my  sinful  heart," — some 
times  shutting  her  eyes  tightly  to  repress  the  tears.  At  noon, 
we  go  to  the  chapel  for  a  "  women's  meeting."  A  crowd 
have  already  assembled,  and  more  are  thronging  in — a  noisy 
gathering.  The  frosty  air  plainly  shows  the  exhalations  from 
their  lungs,  and  we  are  almost  stifled  with  clouds  of  dust 
from  the  earth  floor  !  Standing  in  front  of  the  desk,  we  lift 
up  our  voice,  and  enjoin  order  and  silence.  In  a  few  mo 
ments  the  women  have  all  taken  their  seats,  and  Maranos 
looks  after  the  larger  children,  and  those  who  may  come  in 
still  later.  After  singing  a  familiar  hymn,  and  uniting  in 
prayer  for  the  presence  and  aid  of  the  Divine  Teacher,  we 
read  a  portion  of  Scripture.  But  when  we  proceed  to  un- 


648  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

fold  its  meaning  and  apply  its  principles,  we  see  a  vast  differ 
ence  among  our  hearers.  The  Spirit  has  evidently  been  at 
work  upon  some  of  these  hearts  ;  their  anxious  countenances 
show  deep  concern  for  their  souls.  Tears  are  filling  the  eyes 
and  wetting  the  face  of  many  an  aged  woman  ac  the  query 
comes, — "  Which  road  are  you  traveling?"  for  life  and  death 
has  been  set  before  them,  in  the  "  Narrow,"  and  the  "  Broad 
way."  Before  we  close,  we  ask  all  those  who  think  that  they 
have  given  their  hand  to  Jesus  to  lead  them  in  the  "  straight 
and  narrow  path,"  to  rise.  Slowly  and  solemnly  one  after 
another  rises,  till  ten  women  are  standing  before  us.  After 
a  few  words  to  these,  we  ask  for  those  who  really  desire  now 
to  give  their  hearts  to  Jesus.  They  all  seem  impressed  with 
the  responsibility  of  the  act,  and  none  appear  to  act  care 
lessly,  or  without  thought.  Fifteen  more,  both  old  and 
young,  are  now  on  their  feet,  and  very  still  and  solemn  is 
the  place ;  we  feel  that  God  is  present,  and  in  silence  bow 
our  heads  while  Maranos  leads  us  to  the  throne  of  grace  in 
a  prayer  of  consecration  to  "  Him  who  loved  us  and  gave 
Himself  for  us,  that  we  might  henceforth  live,  not  to  ourselves, 
but  to  His  honor  and  glory."  And  after  a  few  words  with 
those  who  lingered  to  entreat  our  prayers,  that  company  of 

one  hundred  and  fifty  women  was  dispersed An 

occasional  visit  since  that  time,  served  to  deepen  the  interest 
in  those  who  seemed  so  promising.  The  progress  of  that 
people  has  really  been  astonishing.  The  first  chapel 
proved  too  small,  and  of  their  own  accord,  and  with 
little  encouragement  from  the  missionaries,  who  thought 
them  foolish  for  attempting  another  so  soon,  they  built  a 
second  and  larger  one,  turning  the  first  into  parsonage  and 
school-rooms.  And  this  Winter  our  good  Maranos  has  been 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  649 

spending  there  in  teaching  the  women  and  assisting  in  the 
superintendence  of  a  day  school  for  girls,  taught  by  one  of 
our  younger  pupils.  Boghos,  the  son  of  Haji  Anna,  was  al 
ways  ready  to  do  anything  in  his  power  to  help,  during  these 
visits.  The  chapel  would  be  swept,  and  the  bell  rung,  (for, 
during  one  of  his  visits  to  Erzeroom,  he  received  from  a  Rus 
sian  merchant  with  whom  he  did  business,  the  present  of  a 
good-sized  bell  for  the  chapel,  and  as  there  were  few  Turks 
in  the  village,  had  succeeded  in  using  it).*  He  frequently 
called  to  see  me,  when  in  the  city,  and  after  Maranos  had 
commenced  her  work  there,  said,  rather  significantly,  "  Var- 
zhoohi,  we  need  a  stove  for  Maranos's  room;  you  know 
she  is  not  strong,  and  the  weather  is  very  severe."  "  Very 
well,"  I  replied,  "  B.  Garabed  has  plenty  of  them  for  sale." 
He  smiled,  but  said,  "  You  know  that  is  not  what  I  want !" 
"  Yes,  I  know  what  you  want ;  it  is  that  I  help  you  to  pur 
chase  one.  And  I  would  deny  myself  to  do  it,  if  I  did  not 
know  that  it  would  injure  the  cause.  Maranos  has  never 
been  used  to  a  stove,  at  home :  And  suppose  that  we  should 
make  an  exception  in  her  case,  there  is  Juhar,  Takoohi,  and 
several  others  of  our  graduates  who  are  teaching  in  other 
places ;  and  if  we  help  one,  we  must  help  all.  The  people 
will  make  no  exception."  He  was  not  convinced,  but  went 
away  without  any  aid.  I  feared  that  he  did  not  feel  kindly, 

*  Boghos  told  me,  with  much  pleasure,  of  his  thinking  out  a  sys 
tem  of  signals  for  this  bell  -,  —  So  many  strokes  would  indicate  a 
meeting  of  the  church  mejlis — council — and  so  many  denote  ordinary 
gatherings.  "  One  day,"  said  he,  "  I  was  sitting  in  the  Turkish  mejlis, 
and  the  bell  began  to  strike.  I  listened,  and  then  said  to  the  Effendi, 
'  I  must  go,  for  a  Protestant  is  dead  ! '  He  was  greatly  surprised,  and 
asked  me  how  I  knew,  since  none  had  come  to  tell  me.  And  I  ex- 
plained  to  him  that  the  bell  told  me  :  for  I  counted  four,  which  meant 
a  man  ;  and  he  stroked  his  beard,  and  said,  '  Mashallah  !' " 
28 


650  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 

but  a  few  weeks  after  received  a  polite  note  inviting  me  to 
come  down  with  the  new  teachers  to  the  examination  of  the 
two  schools.  It  was  March,  and  the  day  appointed  proved 
very  stormy  and  unpleasant.  But  here  was  an  opportunity 
to  show  the  people  that  we  do  not  seek  our  own  pleasure  in 
riding  about.  My  horse  slipped  and  fell  on  the  ice,  before 
we  had  gone  many  yards  from  the  konak  ;  but  though  the 
wind  blew  the  sleet  in  our  faces,  we  were  so  well  protected 
that  with  the  escort  of  Bedros,  we  reached  the  village  with 
out  much  discomfort.  Boghos  came  out  to  meet  us  with 
a  hearty  welcome,  expressing  surprise  that  we  had  ventured 
in  the  storm.  "The  people  had  come  in  from  the  other 
villages,"  he  said,  "  but  we  were  going  to  send  them  away,  if 
you  did  not  come,  and  have  the  Examination  another  day!" 
However,  he  rubbed  his  hands  in  glee  that  no  change  was 
necessary,  and  we  would  have  encountered  much  more  than 
that  eight  or  ten  miles'  ride,  in  spite  of  mud  and  sleet,  rather 
than  have  caused  such  a  disappointment.  The  examination 
of  the  two  schools  took  place  in  the  chapel  at  the  same  time ; 
each  in  turn  going  through  with  an  exercise,  and  both  unit 
ing  in  the  singing.  Ytisef,  one  of  Mr.  Williams's  students, 
who  had  learned  Armenian,  had  charge  of  the  boys,  and 
Marta,  one  of  our  pupils,  was  the  teacher  of  the  girls  :  Each 
had  a  written  programme,  and  followed  it  to  the  letter  in  re 
gard  to  time.  Classes  were  examined  in  Arithmetic,  Geog 
raphy,  Grammar,  Reading,  "  Spelling  down  ;"  and  Writing 
Books  were  passed  around  for  exhibition.  There  were  also 
exercises  in  recitation,  declamation,  and  reading  of  essays, 
which  were  really  very  creditable  ;  and  when  one  looked  back 
to  the  state  of  utter  ignorance  in  which  that  people  were  living 
but  four  or  five  years  before,  the  change  seemed  marvelous. 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  651 


In  the  midst  of  it  all,  I  was  pleased  to  hear  a  villager  call  out, 
"I  like  this!  Go  on ;  I  could  hear  it  all  day!"  The  two 
teachers,  standing  on  either  side  of  the  pulpit,  were  very 
dignified  and  self-possessed.  They  had  evidently  copied 
after  our  City  Schools  in  their  plan  and  conduct  of  the  entire 
arrangements.  At  the  close,  several  speeches  were  made  by 
the  brethren,  in  which  most  honorable  and  grateful  mention 
was  made  of  the  "  *  American  Board  Society,'  to  whom  un 
der  God,  they  as  a  people  owed  everything  that  was  good 
and  hopeful  for  the  future." 

Misses  Seymour  and  Warfield  were  obliged  to  leave  with 
Bedros,  an  hour  or  two  before  it  ended,  that  they  might 
reach  the  city  ere  it  was  dark  ;  and  I  meanwhile  had  prom 
ised  to  remain  at  Hooeli  for  a  few  days.  I  would  not  have 
missed  one  word  of  those  simple  speeches,  so  full  of  heart, 
and  showing  how  it  develops  a  people  to  do  for  themselves ! 
The  beaming  looks  of  satisfaction  upon  the  faces  of  those 
plain,  substantial  men,  was  worth  more  than  stores  of  gold  ! 
Boghos  had  provided  a  stove  for  the  chapel,  which  was  com 
fortably  warm,  and  he  opened  the  door  of  Maranos's  room  to 
display  another,  saying,  with  a  smile,  "We  did  get  it,  you 
see,  after  all !"  "  Yes,  and  I  am  glad  of  it,  since  it  was  with 
your  own  money!"  I  replied.  And  after  we  had  returned 
to  his  home,  and  were  talking  over  the  events  of  the  day,  he 
remarked,  "  The  more  we  do  for  ourselves,  the  more  we  shall 
realize  what  the  missionaries  have  done  for  us  !"  "  That," 
I  said,  "  is  exactly  the  way  with  children ;  I  have  heard  many 
a  mother  say  that  she  never  knew  how  much  she  owed  to 
her  parents,  till  she  had  a  child  of  her  own  !" 

The  "  week  of  prayer  "  still  continued  in  Hooeli,  and  that 
evening  the  spacious  chapel  contained  a  goodly  assembly  of 


052  THE    ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 


earnest  men   and  women  for  a  Prayer  and  Conference  meet 
ing. 

When  we  had  returned  to  the  house,  the  people  began  to 
come  in,  and  soon  the  room  was  quite  filled.  A  white-haired, 
venerable-looking  man  in  the  corner  had  taken  the  big  Bible, 
and  when  an  opportunity  offered,  he  began  what  I  knew  would 
be  an  endless  discussion  about  "  foolish  questions,"  and  "  words 
to  no  profit," — according  to  the  custom  of  many  Armenians, — 
by  saying  :  "  Varzhoohi,  when  the  angels  were  spilled  out  of 
Heaven,  was  it  because  they  would  not  fall  down  and  worship 
the  new-born  Son  of  the  Virgin  Mary  ?  "  Every  eye  in  the 
room  was  now  turned  upon  me,  and  every  ear  open  to  catch 
my  answer. 

Wishing  to  "  leave  off  contention  before  it  be  meddled  with," 
according  to  Scripture,  I  simply  answered,  ^  I  don!  t  know  ;  for 
I  was  not  there!  "  The  laugh  that  followed,  caused  the  old  man 
to  close  the  book,  nor  did  he  again  open  his  lips,  though  I 
afterward  understood  that  he  was  primed  with  majiy  equally 
profound  questions  with  which  to  gratify  his  own  vanity,  and 
amuse  the  bystanders.  Taking  my  Testament,  I  turned  to 
Paul's  words  to  Timothy  on  that  subject  of  "  fables  and  endless 
genealogies,  which  minister  questions,  rather  than  godly  edify 
ing  which  is  in  faith."  After  a  little  pleasant  conversation,  one 
of  the  brethren  said  :  "  Won't  you  please  teach  us  that  new 
song  that  has  just  come  out  in  the  Avedaper  ? — '  Shall  we 
gather  at  the  River?'  '  — And  soon  all  were  singing  it,  over 
and  over  again,  never  wearying,  till  my  voice  grew  husky  in 
leading  them.  At  length  they  left,  and  I  was  hoping  for  a  lit 
tle  rest,  when  Itoghos,  after  going  out  with  some  of  the  breth 
ren,  came  to  me  with  an  air  of  mystery,  and  said  :  "  Four  or 
five  of  us  brethren  wish  to  talk  with  you  about  a  very  im- 


SOWING  AND    REAPING    IN   ARMENIA.  653 


portant  matter."  "Why,  it  is  no\v  nearly  midnight,"  I  said, 
looking  at  my  watch.  "Well,  it  won't  take  more  than  a  few 
minutes,"  he  replied,  and  seemed  so  earnest  about  it  that  I 
could  not  say  him  nay.  The  women  were  sent  out  of  the 
room,  and  to  my  surprise,  the  "important  matter"  was  about 
the  selection  of  a  spiritual  shepherd.  Their  preacher  had  done 
admirably  in  laying  foundations — he  was  a  natural  pioneer  ; 
but  not  so  well  fitted  to  "  feed  the  flock." — As  they  expressed 
it,  "his  stock  of  feed  had  run  out  /"  (and  he  could  not,  or 
would  not,  study  to  secure  a  fresh  supply).  Long  and  ear 
nestly  these  brethren  talked  of  their  great  needs,  and  begged 
for  my  assistance  in  securing  one — a  student  upon  whom  they 
had  set  their  hearts. 

I  told  them  again  and  again  that  in  such  matters  I  had  no 
voice  ;  but  finally,  as  I  felt  the  force  of  their  arguments,  con 
sented  to  give  the  weight  of  my  influence  in  that  direction.  [It 
afterward  appeared  that  the  man  of  their  choice  was  elected 
for  Palu — a  centre  of  great  importance  in  a  large,  outlying 
district.  The  account  of  his  ordination,  as  given  by  one  of 
the  missionaries,  was  very  interesting,  especially  the  "  charge," 
by  Pastor  Marderos,  of  Harpoot.  "  Alluding  in  a  touching 
way  to  the  youth  of  the  candidate — '  the  youngest  among  us 
on  whom  hands  have  yet  been  laid  for  this  high  office ' — he 
went  on  to  say  that  two  memorials  would  be  constantly  before 
him  to  aid  him  in  remembering  his  duty.  Pointing  towards  the 
Euphrates,  which  flows  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  which  the  city 
is  built,  he  said,  '  This  river  witnessed  the  expulsion  of  Adam 
from  Paradise,  because  he  forgot  the  high  dignity  and  re 
sponsibility  of  the  position  in  which  God  had  placed  him,  and 
sought  his  own  selfish  indulgence.'  Again,  pointing  up  to  the 
lofty  castle-crowned  height  which  separates  the  two  portions  of 


654  THE   ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


the  city,  and  one  of  whose  caves,  dug  in  its  rocky  summit, 
Armenian  tradition  makes  the  residence  of  Mesrob,  the  saintly 
man  who,  many  centuries  ago,  gave  the  nation  their  alphabet 
and  Bible,  and  dwelling  for  a  few  moments  on  his  history  and 
character,  and  especially  his  self-denying,  self-forgetful  labors 
to  elevate  his  people,  he  added,  '  HE  ONLY  is  WORTHY  OF  RE 
MEMBRANCE  ON  EARTH  WHO  FORGETS  HIMSELF  !' Words  fit 

to  be  engraven  in  letters  of  gold  ! "] 

During  my  former  visits  the  entire  family  had  camped  down 
in  that  which  was  known  as  the  "living  room";  the  floor 
thickly  covered  over  with  beds,  Maranos,  or  another  of  my 
pupils,  sleeping  at  my  feet,  and  the  Badveli  on  the  divan,  Haji 
Anna  in  one  corner,  and  so  on. 

Now,  however,  greatly  to  my  satisfaction,  the  family  ad 
journed  to  another  room  below,  and  I  was  left  to  solitary  repose. 
Though  very  grateful,  I  was  rather  surprised  at  this,  for  noth 
ing  had  so  awakened  the  sympathy  and  compassion  of  my 
pupils  as  the  fact  that  I  had  to  sleep  in  a  room  "all  by 
myself!  "  An  allusion  to  it  brought  tears  to  their  eyes  at  once. 
The  first  rays  of  The  cold,  gray  morning  were  coming  through 
the  window,  when  I  heard  the  voice  of  my  good  host  calling, 
"  Come,  sister  !  "  This  was  for  the  sunrise  prayer-meeting  in  the 
chapel,  which  was  well  attended.  At  twelve  o'clock  I  went  to 
see  the  Bible  class,  which  Maranos  taught  for  an  hour  every  day 
in  the  same  place.  There  were  twenty-five  women,  forming  a 
semi-circle  around  her,  each  with  a  Reference-Bible  in  her 
hands  ;  and  the  answers  they  gave  to  her  questions  denoted 
an  intelligent  study  of  the  Word.  Outside  the  railing  sat  a 
row  of  mothers-in-law  and  grandmothers,  with  their  Primers, 
waiting  their  turn  to  take  a  lesson.  "  At  first,"  said  Mara 
nos,  "they  wept,  and  felt  disgraced  to  have  their  '  brides' 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  655 


uncover  their  mouths*  and  speak,  or  read  aloud,  in  their  pres 
ence  ;  but  now  they  are  quite  proud  of  their  progress." 

The  remainder  of  the  week  was  spent  in  family  visitation, 
with  meetings  for  the  mothers  and  children.f  Sunday  dawned  ; 
I  was  to  leave  the  next  morning,  and  a  meeting  for  the  wom 
en  was  announced  from  the  desk,  to  take  place  after  the 
second  service.  As  we  were  going  to  the  chapel,  several 
gay-appearing  women  met  us  on  the  roofs,  and  one  of  them, 
catching  my  hand,  cried :  "  Come,  now,  and  dance  with  us, 
and  we  will  have  a  merry  time  !  "  While  speaking  to  her  of 


*  These  women  were  accustomed  to  wear  a  dark  kerchief  over  the 
lower  part  of  the  face,  by  day  and  by  night,  in  Summer  and  in  Winter  : 
And  it  was  pitiful  to  see  the  blush  of  shame  that  mantled  their  faces 
when  it  was  first  drawn  aside, — that  their  voices  might  be  better  heard 
in  reading.  When  eating  or  drinking,  the  head  was  always  turned 
away,  and  the  mouth  screened  from  observation,  especially  of  the 
husband's  relatives  : — Sitting  among  them,  and  mentally  contrasting 
their  condition  with  that  of  the  .self-styled  "lords  of  creation,"  I  too 
have  felt  a  sense  of  degradation,  and,  for  the  first  time,  wished  that 
I  had  been  born  a  man  ! 

f  One  hundred  boys,  fifty  girls,  with  twenty-five  women,  gathered 
for  the  first  Children's  Meeting.  Their  attention  was  soon  secured 
by  an  account  of  similar  meetings  at  the  City  :  And  then  I  asked, 
"  Children,  which  do  you  like  best,  a  good  boy,  or  a  bad  boy?"  In 
stantly  every  voice  replied,  "  A  good  boy!"  "  Why?  what  is  it  that 
a  bad  boy  or  girl  does?"  They  began  to  enumerate — "  Lying,  steal 
ing,  swearing,  quarrelling," — and  every  now  and  then,  as  they  were 
set  to  thinking  of  more  bad  things,  a  bright  face  was  lifted  up  with 
a  new  thought  beaming  from  the  eyes.  Next  came  the  question, 
"  Which  are  you  ? — good,  or  bad  boys  and  girls  ?  "  With  one  voice 
they  answered,  "  WE  ARE  BAD  !"  "  Oh,  how  sad  !  but  what  becomes 
of  bad  boys  and  girls?"  and  the  unqualified  and  startling  answer 
from  many  lips  was,  "  They  go  to  Hell  /"  This  paved  the  way  for  a 
clear  setting  forth  of  the  Good  Shepherd,  and  His  love  and  care  for  the 
lambs, — whom  He  will  keep  from  the  Destroying  Wolf, — if  only  they 
follow  Him.  We  closed  by  singing,  "  I  was  a  wandering  sheep,  I 
did  not  love  the  fold," — and  the  mothers  (who  sat  behind)  were  much 
affected. 


656  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

God's  command  to  honor  His  holy  day,  some  men  drew  near 
to  listen,  and  said  :  "  She  is  right ;  it  is  wrong  to  break  the 
Sabbath;"  and  it  ended  in  our  inviting  a  number  of  those  wom 
en  to  our  meeting  that  afternoon. 

Two  hundred  Armenian  women  sat  before  me,  wrapped  in 
their  white  sheets,  at  the  time  appointed.  Among  these  were 
some  whose  faces  were  there  seen  for  the  first  time.  I  was 
speaking  of  Christ's  words,  "What  shall  it  profit  a  man,  if  he 
gain  the  whole  world,  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?"  and  asked  the 
question:  "Are  you  now  ready  to  forsake  ALL  for  Christ?" 
when,  as  I  paused,  a  sound  came  to  my  ear  as  of  one  speak 
ing,  and  glancing  at  Haji  Anna,  who  at  every  meeting  sat  as 
near  my  side  as  she  could  get,  I  saw  her  hands  tightly  clasped, 
and  her  eyes  closed  to  prevent  the  gathering  tears  from  falling, 
and  heard  her  say,  "Yes,  Jesus,  I  will  leave  ALL  to  follow 
Thee  ! " 

At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  I  told  the  Christian  sisters  that 
this  was  probably  my  last  visit,  for  the  School  would  soon  com 
mence,  and  I  must  ere  long  go  to  my  native  land  to  renew  my 
strength,  if  I  was  ever  to  labor  more  for  their  people  ;  add 
ing,  that  I  would  like  to  unite  with  some  of  them  in  prayer. 
Without  waiting,  one  arose  and  poured  forth  her  soul  in  suppli 
cation  and  thanksgiving  ;  and  then  another  and  another,  till  six 
prayers  had  been  offered.  And  such  prayers  !  So  Scriptural, 
so  elevated,  and  in  such  language  that  I  could  scarcely  credit 
my  hearing ;  and  again  I  exclaimed,  "  What  hath  Cod 
wrought!"  Could  any  mere  HUMAN  TKACHIXO  have  accom 
plished  SUCH  RESULTS  with  SUCH  MATERIAL,  in  the  space  of 
three  or  four  short  years  ? 

The  meeting  had  closed,  and  the  women  were  lingering  a 
little,  as  usual,  when  I  said  to  them  :  "  Sisters,  the  brethren 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  657 

have  requested  me  to  ask  whether  you  cannot  do  a  little  more 
to  help  pay  off  the  debt  on  this  chapel.  They  acknowledge 
that  you  have  already  done  nobly  ;  but  there  is  still  a  debt  of 
eight  hundred  piastres,  and  if  you  and  they  strain  every  nerve, 
they  think  that  every  impediment  in  the  way  of  the  Lord's 
chariot  wheels  may  be  removed." 

There  was  a  moment's  silence,  as  they  looked  at  one 
another  as  if  to  inquire,  "  What  can  we  do  more  ?  "  when  Haji 
Anna  came  to  me,  and  holding  up  her  right  arm — upon  which 
was  a  broad,  heavy,  and  elaborately-wrought  silver  bracelet — 
said  :  "  Varzhoohi,  will  you  push  out  the  little  slide  by  which 
it  is  clasped  ? "  It  had  probably  never  left  her  arm  since 
placed  there  in  her  youthful  days  (it  may  be  fifty  years  agone), 
and  the  slide  was  so  worn  and  wedged  in  with  earth  by  con 
stant  wearing  at  her  work  in  the  vineyards,  as  well  as  at  home, 
that  it  was  impossible  to  dislodge  it.  One  of  the  men  (of 
whom  there  were  always  a  few  lingering  around  the  door,  from 
curiosity,  or  to  pick, up  the  crumbs  which  fell  from  the  table) 
was  called  forward,  and  by  the  aid  of  a  nail  he  succeeded  in 
knocking  it  out,  and  the  last  of  Haji  Anna's  jewels  was 
dropped  into  the  treasury  of  the  Lord  !  And  then  commenced 
such  a  cutting  off  of  ornaments  as  I  had  never  yet  seen.  A 
bride,  who,  now  that  her  "  Maker"  was  her  "  husband,"  had  for 
gotten,  or  lightly  prized  other  than  the  u  ornament  of  a  meek 
and  quiet  spirit,"  took  off  a  very  graceful  festoon  of  silver 
chains  and  leaves,  which  hung  from  her  head-dress,  upon  her 
forehead  ;  and  another  detached  from  her  necklace,  a  beauti 
fully-wrought  and  expensive  "  charm,"  in  the  form  of  a  trian 
gle  (a  symbol  of  the  Trinity),  embellished  with  a  turquoise  and 
rubies,  and  containing,  as  in  a  locket,  a  piece  of  paper  with  a 
few  magic  words,  written  and  blessed  by  the  priest,  to  preserve 
28* 


658  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


her  from  the  "  Evil  eye."*  But  with  the  Lord  for  her  Pre 
server  and  Protector,  the  superstitious  "charm"  was  no 
longer  needed,  and  she  gladly  cast  it  into  His  treasury,  as 
a  token  of  her  trust  and  love.  A  poor,  middle-aged  woman 
wore  upon  her  neck  a  copper  chain,  upon  which  was  sus 
pended  a  row  of  silver  coins,  so  worn  by  time  that  the  in 
scription  upon  them  was  nearly  effaced  ;  and  the  large 
ornamental  piece  in  the  centre  was  re-fastened  to  its  time- 
worn  silver  lining,  by  rivets  of  brass.  It  looked  very  an 
cient,  and  may  have  been  handed  down  for  many  generations 
in  her  family  ;  but,  although  it  was  the  only  relic  she  had  left 
of  former  times,  it  was  esteemed  as  nothing  in  comparison 
with  the  infinite  and  priceless  treasures  of  which  she  had  now 
become  an  heir  through  the  Love  of  her  Savior ;  and  for  His 
dear  sake  she  joyfully  cast  in  her  little  all !  I  could  not  utter 
one  word  while  this  wholly  unexpected  and  entirely  voluntary 
contribution  was  in  progress.  I  had  never  in  my  missionary 
life  suggested  or  even  hinted  the  propriety  of  taking  off  one's 
jewelry  in  self-denial  for  Christ's  work,  for  I  felt  that  here,  as 
at  home,  every  conscience  must  act  for  itself  in  such  matters. 
But  my  heart  was  full  of  praise  as  I  looked,  and  listened, 
and  wondered  at  the  precious  fruits  put  forth  by  these  new 
plants  of  righteousness  in  the  Vineyard  of  the  Lord.  A  large 
handkerchief  filled  with  these  free-will  offerings  was  given  me 
to  carry  to  the  city,  to  be  melted  as  old  silver,  and  exchanged 
for  coin,  consecrated  to  the  Cause  of  Christ As  some 


*  The  wearing  of  a  charm  is  universal  in  the  East.  If  a  Turkish 
mother  has  a  beautiful  boy,  and  sees  some  one  gazing  intently  upon 
him,  she  is  terrified  unless  he  is  protected  by  a  charm  ;  lest  envy  or 
malice  should  bring  down  maledictions  upon  his  innocent  head,  caus 
ing  an  earl)' death,  or  all  imaginable  evil.  Favorite  horses  are  also 
£hus  protected  among  all  classes. 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  659 

last  words  were  being  exchanged  with  the  dear  disciples,  Haji 
Anna  came  to  me,  and  touching  my  arm,  said  :  "  Come,  Var 
zhoohi,  come  home  ;  you  have  preached  long  enough.  You 
will  make  your  head  ache.  And  as  she  drew  me  away, 
she  whispered :  "  I  have  some  refreshment  prepared  for 
you!"  Greatly  to  my  surprise,  it  was  a  roasted  fowl,  which 
she  would  never  have  provided  at  mid-day  for  her  own  family. 
How  different  this  from  anything  I  liad  ever  seen  or  heard 
of  her  in  other  years,  when  she  rudely,  if  not  scornfully, 
laughed  at  the  idea  of  a  head-ache,  or  fatigue  from  the  con 
tinual  talking  and  excitement  kept  up  till  midnight  of  every 
day  ;  and  she  never  dreamed  of  giving  one  any  food  during  the 
day,  aside  from  a  bit  of  cheese  and  coarse  black  bread,  such 
as  she  ate  herself,  A  softening,  refining  process  had  surely 
been  going  on  in  her  heart,  and  so  gradually  that  I  did  not 
dream  that  she  who  was  once  a  bitter  opposer  had  really 
become  a  Christian  !  But  that  evening,  as  we  were  gathered 
for  dinner  around  the  low  tray,  and  I  was  conversing  with  her 
sons  about  the  employments  and  enjoyments  of  Heaven,  she 
looked  up  very  wistfully,  and  said :  "  Oh,  Varzhoohi,  do  you 
think  that  /  will  ever  get  there  ?  "  "  Ah,  Haji  Anna,  did  I  not 
hear  you  say  to-day  that  you  would  l  leave  all  to  follow 
Christ'?"  "Yes,"  she  answered,  again  clasping  her  hands, 
"  I  will  forsake  all  to  follow  Jesus  !"  "Well,  He  is  the  Way; 
and  if  you  truly  follow  Him  you  will  surely  get  there  !"  She 
was  silent  a  moment,  as  if  in  thought,  and  then  said,  with  great 
earnestness  :  "Varzhoohi,  if  I  ever  do  get  there,  I'll  hold  on  to 
you  just  so  !"  catching  hold  of  my  dress  as  she  spoke.  "No, 
indeed,  Haji  Anna;  you  will  not  cling  to  me;  you  will 
cling  to  Jesus  all  the  way,  and  He  will  be  the  '  chief  among 
ten  thousand,  the  One  altogether  lovely  ! '  " 


660  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

And  just  then,  as  her  veil  fell  aside  a  little  from  her  brow, 
I  noticed,  for  the  first  time,  that  the  bands  of  heavy  gold  coins 
were  not  there ;  and  a  more  scrutinizing  glance  revealed  the 
absence  of  ear-rings,  necklace,  and  clasps  around  her  arms ; 
she  was  divested  of  every  ornament  and  jewel  with  which  .she 
was  wont  to  appear;  and  in  great  surprise,  I  exclaimed,  "Why, 
Haji  Anna,  where  has  all  the  gold  gone  ?  "  She  made  no  re 
ply,  but  smiled,  when  one  of  her  two  "brides,"  who  were 
serving,  bent  over  her  shoulder,  and  whispered,  "It  has  all 
gone  where  the  bracelet  went !  "  And  as  I  looked  again  upon 
the  rneek  and  chastened  face,  once  so  haughty  in  its  native 
strength  and  self-will,  the  conviction  flashed  through  my  mind 
that  God  had  set  His  seal  upon  that  soul  ;  that  she  who  bore 
upon  her  arm  the  mark  (tattooed)  of  a  pilgrim  to  the  earthly 
Jerusalem,  was  now  indeed  a  Christian  Pilgrim  to  the  better, 
even  the  Heavenly  City  of  the  Great  King  ! 

Speaking  of  my  return  to  America,  she  pleadingly  said, 
"  Oh.  don't  go,  Varzhoohi !  Stay  longer  and  teach  us  !  "  And 
afterwards  added,  "  Why  didn't  the  Missionaries  come  before  ? 
If  they  had  only  come  when  I  was  young,  I,  too,  might  have 
worked  for  Christ !"  ....  Four  of  the  brethren  escorted 
me  to  the  city  in  the  piercing  wind  of  a  bleak  morning ;  and  as 
I  unlocked  the  door  of  my  cold  room  on  the  roof,  and  trem 
bling  with  fatigue,  made  a  fire,  thinking  all  the  while  of  the 
mother  who,  in  by-gone  years,  so  welcomed,  after  a  brief  absence, 
the  return  of  her  child  with  all  the  warmth,  and  love,  and  com 
fort  of  one's  own  home,  it  was  very  difficult  to  repress  an 
attack  of  the  old  home  or  heart-sickness, — the  flood-tide  of 
utter  desolation — which  sweeps  through  the  soul  most  frequently 
when  the  "  flesh  is  weak."  At  such  times  one  can  derive  little 
comfort  from  the  thought  of  work  done,  and  treasures  laid  tip  in 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  66 1 

heaven,  in  place  of  the  life  and  strength  so  freely  expended  here  ; 
for  it  seems  very,  very  little,  the  part  which  we  have  had  in  it  : 
And  the  soul  finds  its  only  rest  in  looking  away  from  self  and 
works  "  unto  Jesus,  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  our  faith  ;  who 
for  the  joy  that  was  set  before  Him,  endured  the  cross,  despis 
ing  the  shame,  and  is  now  set  down  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
throne  of  God." 

A    VISIT  TO  MALATIA. 

When  the  heavy  cloud  of  disease  and  death  had  been  lifted 
from  the  missionary  dwellings,  no  longer  calling  for  days  and 
nights  of  watching  and  nursing  by  the  bedsides  of  our  friends, — 
though  the  forms  of  two  more  precious  children  lay  under  the 
sod,  and  two  more  voices  were  added  to  the  infant  choir 
above, — the  three  teachers  frequently  visited  the  six  or  eight 
village  out-stations  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city.  Mounting  our 
horses  after  breakfast,  and  escorted  by  the  faithful  Bedros,  we 
sallied  forth  to  examine  a  school  taught  by  one  of  our  pupils, 
at  the  nearest  point,  and  then  passed  on  to  another,  sometimes 
arriving  just  as  the  day-school  was  closing  for  the  noon  recess. 
The  children  were  bidden  to  rim  home  and  tell  their  mothers 
and  sisters  that  the  Varzhoohi  had  come,  and  would  hold  a 
meeting.  In  half  an  hour  (by  which  time  we  had  finished  the 
simple  luncheon  brought  with  us)  from  thirty  to  sixty  women 
were  gathered  in  the  rude  place  of  worship.  On  one  such 
occasion  we  arrived  at  the  village  of  Heulakegh.  [The  good 
pastor  flew  about  with  more  than  usual  energy  to  make  prep 
arations  for  the  meeting ;  and  as  his  long  blue-cloth  outer- 
garment  impeded  his  movements,  he  held  it  back  with  one 
hand,*  making  us  realize  that,  with  the  new  life  and  enter- 


*  Very  much  as  ladies  gather  up  their  trailing  dresses  at  the  present 
day,  bringing  to  mind  an  illustration  of  David's  dancing  before  the 


662  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


prise  inspired  by  Christianity,  there  must  of  necessity  come 
the  replacing  of  that  old,  effeminate,  luxurious,  and  ease- 
provoking  style  of  apparel,  with  the  garments  worn  by  the 
men  of  civilized  races.  Nearly  all  the  students  and  preachers 
trained  by  the  missionaries  in  Turkey  have  now  adopted  the 
European  dress.  But  at  first  they  feel  very  awkward  and  stiff 
in  their  new  attire,  and  the  majority  of  them,  it  must  be  confess 
ed,  lose  much  of  their  former  dignity  and  stateliness,  as  their 
stature  was  apparently  increased  by  the  Oriental  costume.] 

Fully  one  hundred  mothers  and  children  assembled  to  hear 
the  words  of  Our  Savior.  "  Simon,  son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou 
me  ?  "  was  the  word  upon  which  our  thoughts  dwelt ;  and  the 
conviction  that  Christ  really  cares  for,  and  wants  our  love, 
seemed  to  come  home  to  those  hearts  as  a  wonderful  revelation. 
"How  to  show  that  love"  was  the  closing  theme  of  discourse, 
and  the  sisters  in  that  little  branch  of  Zion  promised  with  tear 
ful  eyes  to  begin  to  work  for  other  souls  around  them.  [Not 
many  weeks  after,  Mr.  Allen  was  coming  from  a  Sunday  ser 
vice,  and  he  met  eight  of  these  women,  each  with  her  Testa 
ment,  and  upon  inquiry,  found  that  they  had  been  carrying  the 
Gospel  to  their  less  favored  sisters  in  another  village.]  .... 
The  snows  of  Winter  were  melting,  and  the  narrow  pathways 
of  the  city  were  becoming  still  more  narrow  and  unpleas- 


ark  of  the  Lord,  when  he  laid  aside  his  flowing,  kingly  robe,  and  ap 
peared  in  his  tunic  and  drawers,  and  Michal — she  of  the  sore  heart 
and  bitter  tongue — sarcastically  said,  "  How  glorious  was  the  King 
of  Israel  who  uncovered  himself  to-day,  as  one  of  the  vain  fellows 
shamelessly  uncovereth  himself !"  .  .  .  Hearing  the  music  of  a 
wedding  procession  entering  the  city  one  da)-,  I  looked  from  my  win 
dow,  and  saw  the  aged  mother  of  the  bridegroom  dancing  before  the 
bridal  party,  now  advancing  towards  them,  and  now  retreating,  with 
hands  uplifted,  frequently  giving  a  leap  in  her  joy  over  the  marriage 
of  her  Benjamin— a  very  ancient  custom  not  often  seen  of  late  years. 


SOWING  AND    REAPING  IN  ARMENIA.  663 

ant,  when  I  called,  one  day,  at  a  house  close  by  the  missionary 
konak,  upon  a  family  that  belonged  to  the  neither  rich  nor 
poor  class  of  society.  In  a  room  perhaps  eighteen  feet  square, 
I  was  cordially  welcomed  by  the  numerous  occupants,  and 
given  a  seat  on  the  cushions  which  surrounded  the  "  tan- 
dour," — a  low  frame-work,  covered  by  a  carpet,  or  thick  quilt, 
placed  above  a  depression  in  the  floor,  which  held  a  vessel  of 
hot  ashes  and  coals.  Around  this  the  family  sat,  ate,  and 
slept  at  night  (when  their  feet  were  extended  beneath  it  for 
warmth,  while  their  heads  radiated  in  every  direction) !  The 
walls  were  dingy  ;  no  plastering  or  whitewashing  concealed  the 
rough  clay  :  The  floor  was  partly  covered  with  pieces  of  coarse 
carpet,  or  matting  ;  and  the  windows  were  filled  with  oiled  pa 
per  instead  of  glass.  At  one  side,  the  aged,  paralytic  grand 
father  reclined  upon  a  thin  mattress  of  cotton  spread  upon  the 
hard  floor,  his  venerable  companion  hovering  near  by.  The 
air  of  the  apartment  was  chilly  and  penetrating,  from  the 
dampness  which  no  fire  dispelled.  One  of  the  four  brides 
was  lying  on  her  bed,  with  a  new-born  infant  by  her  side ;  and 
a  babe  three  weeks  old,  belonging  to  another  bride,  was  sleep 
ing,  partly  under  cover  of  the  "  tandour."  Seven  older  chil 
dren,  besides  a  widowed  daughter,  and  her  three  little  ones, 
helped  to  swell  the  family.  After  a  moment's  interchange  of. 
salutations,  the  aged  mother  said,  "  How  well  that  you  came ; 
I  was  just  asking  one  of  the  brides 'to  read."  The  little,  with 
ered  form  is  seated  close  beside  me,  and  the  faded  eyes  turned 
with  eager  interest  upon  my  face,  while  I  read  and  explain  the 
one  hundred  and  thirty-ninth  Psalm.  Presently,  the  tears  be 
gin  to  roll  down  the  wrinkled  face, — for  God  has  made  that 
stony  heart  soft.  The  little  grandchild,  with  whose  dark  hair 
her  hand  unconsciously  plays,  looks  up  in  wonder,  as  the  drops 


664  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


fall  upon  his  young  face  :  For  some  years,  the  strong  preju 
dices  of  the  old  people  have  been  gradually  dissolving  under 
the  powerful  rays  of  Gospel  light  brought  into  that  house  by 
the  four  sons — all  Christian  men.  But  not  till  a  late  day  were 
the  first  relentings  seen.  The  Spirit  of  God  had  been  convict 
ing  "of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  a  judgment  to  come,"  and 
as  the  old  grandmother  rocks  back  and  forth,  she  says,  "  I  have 
been  guilty  of  every  kind  of  sin  ;  these  hands  have  stolen — -for 
these  children  !  "  The  grandfather, — a  sinner  of  a  hundred 
years,  who  rebelled  against  God  with  a  hard  heart,  and  a  high 
hand,  now  smitten,  and  helpless, — listens,  and  weeps,  and 
prays,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner  /"  What  a  picture  ! 
that  once  towering  form  prostrate  ;  that  grand  head,  hoary 
with  the  frosts  of  many  Winters,  bowed,  for  the  first  time,  in 
penitence,  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  !  Three  of  the  brides  belong 
to  the  family  of  Christ  (they  are  members  of  Mr.  Barnum's 
Bible-class),  their  heads  bowed  in  silent  prayer,  while  the  only 
way  of  salvation  from  sin,  is  plainly  set  before  the  parents. 
Then  we  kneel  around  the  mercy-seat ;  and  when  I  have  asked 
the  Father's  blessing,  two  of  those  young  women  follow  in  earn 
est  and  humble  petitions.  When  I  leave,  the  grandmother  begs 
me  to  "come  often  ;"  to  my  reply  that  other  houses  need  me 
more,  for  she  has  "  readers  "at  home  ;  she  answers,"  Yes,  I  know ; 
but  these  also  need  to  be  taught  and  guided  ;  they  cannot 
teach  like  you."  And  then  she  adds,  with  a  tenderness,  so  un 
wonted  that  it  touches  a  hidden  chord, — "  You  are  a  stranger 
in  a  strange  land  ;  when  your  heart  is  sad,  and  full  of  longings 
for  your  friends  so  far  away,  come  here,  and  see  the  brides,  and 

get   your   shut  heart  open  /  " When  the  Spring  had 

opened,  and  the  School  was  fairly  under  way,  I  felt  impelled  in 
spirit  to  visit  the  city  of  Malatia,  about  three  days  journey 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  665 


from  Harpoot ;  knowing,  also,  that  it  would  be  good  for  the 
new  teachers  to  "paddle  their  own  canoe"  for  a  little  while 
without  my  assistance,  since  they  must  soon  assume  the  entire 
care  and  responsibility  of  the  establishment. 

At  first  no  escort  offered  ;  the  missionaries  were  all  too  busy, 
and  it  would  hardly  be  safe  or  proper  for  me  to  travel  so  far 
without  their  protection.  This,  however,  was  provided  by 
the  new  brother  who  had  so  lately  recovered  from  his 
long  and  dangerous  illness,  and  had  just  returned  to  the  study 
of  the  language.  Then  a  second  obstacle  interposed  in  the 
failure  to  secure  a  muleteer.  As  a  last  resort,  an  appeal 
was  made  to  Menzar,  the  blacksmith,  who,  solely  "  for  the 
sake  of  what  he  and  his  wife  owed  to  the  Varzhoohi "  (as  he 
expressed  it),  consented  to  become  our  guide  and  guard, 
though  it  involved  the  shutting  up  of  his  shop  for  more  than  a 
week  and  the  losing  of  custom  thereby.  We  left  on  Tuesday, 
reaching  that  "  City  of  Gardens"  on  Thursday,  and  returning  to 
Harpoot  the  following  Thursday,  being  absent  nine  days.  Menzar 
was  unwearied  in  his  kindness,  walking  by  my  side  at  every 
steep  place,  with  hand  upon  the  saddle  ;  and  when  I  thanked 
him,  he  said,  in  his  honest  way,  as  he  turned  his  broad,  beam 
ing  face  toward  me,  "Why,  Varzhoohi,  I  could  carry  you  in 
my  arms  all  the  way  for  what  you  have  done  for  rny  Yeghsa  !  " 

The  weather  was  very  propitious,  and  the  change,  and  travel 
in  the  open  air,  might  have  proved  very  beneficial  to  health, 
had  the  night  brought  with  it  any  repose.  We  traveled  as 
lightly  as  possible,  taking  no  encumbrances  in  the  way  of 
bedding,  (excepting  clean  sheets  and  pillow-cases  in  our 
saddle-bags,  using  the  latter  for  pillows  and  spreading  the 
former  upon  carpets,  or  "yorghans,"  provided  by  our  landlords 
wherever  we  might  spend  the  night.) 


656  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


By  some  oversight  we  had  forgotten  to  take  either  salt  or 
matches — two  indispensable^  in  Eastern  travel — and  could 
procure  neither  at  a  Koordish  village,  where  we  spent  the 
second  night  after  crossing  the  Northern  branch  of  the  Eu 
phrates  in  a  rude  ferryboat. 

The  stable  where  we  were  accommodated  was  also  the  village 
place  of  worship,  and  twelve  or  fifteen  swarthy  Koords  came 
in  to  perform  their  Moslem  devotions  at  nine  o'clock  in  the 
evening.  When  they  had  departed,  and  we  had  settled  our 
selves  in  separate  corners  of  the  rude  platform,  upon  the  hard 
beds,  or  harder  ground,  and  our  feeble  light  was  extinguished 
(a  bit  of  rag  burning  in  a  little  earthen  cup  of  oil  and  water),  our 
horses,  who  were  sharing  the  other  end  of  the  apartment  with 
sundry  donkeys  and  cows,  began  to  quarrel  in  their  too  narrow 
quarters.  The  fire  of  thorns  in  the  chimney-place  had  died 
out,  and  Menzar  had  no  tinder  to  strike  a  light ;  nor  could  he 
rouse  the  villagers  from  their  heavy  sleep  to  secure  any.  While 
the  furious  and  frantic  outcries,  and  rushings  to  and  fro,  con 
tinued,  I  could  scarcely  restrain  my  mirth  at  his  frequent  and 
stern  calls  to  the  unruly  animals,  intermingled  with  such  em 
phatic  ejaculations  as,  "Wicked !  Cruel!  Fools!  Cheats!" 
(which  sounded  very  much  like  "pious  swearing!")  Every 
few  minutes  the  chorus  commenced  anew,  and  the  good  man 
was  greatly  exercised  about  the  "poor  Varzhoohi,"  whose 
peace  was  thus  destroyed  ;  while,  though  outwardly  quiet,  I  was 
really  apprehensive  that  our  disorderly  neighbors  might  over 
leap  the  low  railing  that  separated  us,  and  perform  their  antics 
around,  if  not  upon,  our  heads  !  The  sleepless  night  wore  away  ; 
and  after  a  pleasant  ride  over  hills  and  valleys,  and  by  rippling  or 
rushing  streams,  we  reached  Malatia  toward  evening,  and 
received  a  cordial  welcome  from  the  pastor  and  his  family,  and 
the  brethren  who  speedily  came  to  greet  us 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN    ARMENIA.  667 


Two  of  our  last  year's  pupils,  both  young  widows,  are  living 
in  Malatia;  one  of  them  finds  a  home  in  this  family;  and  at 
night  when  we  occupy  the  divans  of  the  pastor's  study,  where 
the  brethren  have  congregated  till  a  late  hour,  Makroh  sleeps 
at  my  feet. 

The  time  of  our  coming  seems  not  very  propitious  for 
Christian  work  among  the  families ;  for  Easter  Sunday  is  near 
at  hand,  and  the  women  are  all  so  busy  in  making  the  usual 
preparations,  and  house-cleaning,  that  it  is  unwise  to  attempt 
much  visitation  among  them  till  it  is  over.  So  we  give  our 
selves  to  rest,  go  to  the  Turkish  bath,  and  visit  the  gardens,  on 
Friday ;  and  on  Saturday,  ride  a  few  miles  to  see  the  "  Old 
City,"  which  presents  a  most  desolate  and  sad  spectacle  in  long 
streets  of  deserted  and  ruined  dwellings,  khans,  shops,  churches, 
and  mosques,  some  of  which  were  fine  buildings  in  their  day. 
As  in  Arabkir,  Turkish  soldiers  were  quartered  upon  the  city 
during  a  civil  war  (waged  between  the  Moslems  and  the 
Koords),  and  the  inhabitants  fled  to  their  gardens,  leaving  the 
work  of  pillage  to  go  on  unhindered,  till  the  town  was  left  a 
desolation,  to  which  they  never  returned.  But  Malatia,  at  the 
present  day,  is  said  to  contain  a  population  of  forty  thousand ; 
twice  as  large  as  Arabkir,  and  almost  a  third  larger  than  Har- 
poot.  It  abounds  in  fruit,  and  nearly  every  garden  around 
each  dwelling,  has  a  gushing  spring  of  the  purest  water. 

Sunday  morning  dawns,  and  the  city  is  all  astir ;  every 
family,  of  the  Christian  inhabitants,  revels  in  colored  eggs 
and  Easter  cakes.  But  as  the  Moslems  are  inimical  to  all 
this  rejoicing  and  display,  and  the  more  fanatical,  delight  to 
annoy  and  vex  the  Christians  at  such  times,  a  number  of 
cavasses,  or  soldiers,  acting  as  policemen,  are  sent  by  the  Gov 
ernment  to  the  various  places  of  worship ;  and  the  Protestant 


668  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


chapel  (which  is  the  lower  part  of  the  house  occupied  by  the 
pastor's  family)  is  surrounded  by  these  officials,  nothwith- 
standing  all  protests  to  the  contrary  :  It  is  Communion  Sun 
day,  and  but  very  few  women  make  their  appearance  ;  in  fact, 
the  work  in  Malat*a  hitherto,  has  been  chiefly  among  the  men, 
the  women  in  general  having  held  themselves  aloof  from  the 
teaching  of  the  truth.  It  appears  that  in  many  a  large  house 
hold,  there  is  but  one  avowed  Protestant.  But  these  Protest 
ants  seem  to  be  at  work  for  the  Master.  At  the  close  of  the 
afternoon  service,  there  is  a  report  from  their  Bible  and  Mis 
sionary  Society.  Several  of  them  have  been  in  the  habit  of 
selling  Bibles  and  other  good  books  in  the  market,  carrying 
them  thither  in  baskets  for  that  purpose,  and  they  have  met 
with  encouraging  success.  Our  good  Menzar  is  all  interest, 
while  the  brethren  give  details  of  their  efforts  to  sow  the 
Gospel-seed ;  and  when  an  opportunity  offers,  he  tells  them 
his  own  experience,  and  method  cf  spreading  the  Gospel 
leaven,  which  seems  to  be  just  what  they  need.  At  the  close 
of  the  services,  the  pastor  announces  that  "  the  Varzhoohi 
from  Harpoot  will  visit  every  house  on  the  morrow,  and  that 
word  must  be  given  to  the  women  to  be  at  home,  and  also 
invite  in  their  neighbors  to  receive  her."  On  Monday  morn 
ing,  at  an  early  hour,  accompanied  by  Makrohi,  and  a  boy 
to  take  charge  of  my  horse,  we  commenced  the  round  of 
visits.  At  the  first  place,  cushions  and  carpets  have  been 
spread  upon  the  veranda,  and  fifteen  or  twenty  women  are 
gathered  to  receive  us  (and  without  seeming  to  see,  we  are 
conscious  of  the  presence  of  several  men,  who  sit  within  the 
room,  and  listen,  screened  by  the  curtains  of  the  windows). 
The  reading  of  a  few  verses  of  Scripture,  and  singing,  "  Come 
to  Jesus,"  (in  which  they  soon  unite)  with  a  few  earnest  words 


SOvVING  AND   REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  669 


in  connection  with  its  proof  texts,  occupies  fifteen  minutes, 
and  then  we  go  on  to  another  house.  There  we  gather  in  the 
garden,  beneath  the  trees,  or  near  a  fountain,  and  the  sound 
of  singing  invariably  brings  fresh  accessions  to  our  numbers. 
Some  of  the  women  follow  us  froai  place  to  place,  and  much 
interest  is  manifested  by  all.  No  one  seems  rude  or  disposed 
to  quarrel  with  our  teachings,  and  before  many  hours  we 
feel  sure  that  God  has  gone  before  by  His  Holy  Spirit,  and 
prepared  the  way.  At  the  house  of  one  of  the  grandees  of 
the  place,  we  meet  a  fine -looking  woman  who  at  first 
manifests  great  indifference ;  she  is  a  widow,  and  her  hus 
band,  who  was  a  Protestant,  and  a  man  of  property,  had 
lately  fallen  dead  in  the  street  from  disease  of  the  heart. 
When  I  tell  her  that  my  father  died  as  suddenly  from  the 
same  cause,  her  interest  is  awakened,  and  she  inquires,  "  How 
did  your  mother  bear  it  ?"  That  opens  her  heart,  and  pre 
pares  the  way  for  a  presentation  of  the  truths  which  so  com 
forted  that  mother  in  her  affliction  :  and  she  cannot  hear 
enough  !  In  other  houses  are  aged  women  tottering  on  the 
brink  of  the  grave,  who  listen  to  the  Gospel  as  a  starving  man 
clutches  the  offered  bread  ! 

Tears  roll  down  their  withered  cheeks,  as  one  after  another 
say  again  and  again,  "  Tell  me  a  little  more,  what  I  must 
do  to  be  saved!"  Even  following  us  with  feeble  steps 
into  the  court-yard,  still  uttering  that  tremulous  cry,  till  our 
hearts  are  melted. 

At  one  such  place,  the  aged  mother  moans  out,  "  Oh ! 
why  didn't  you  come  before!  why  did/it  you  come  before! 
It  is  so  late  for  me  to  learn  the  way  !  "  When  my  own 
strength  is  nearly  exhausted  with  so  much  speaking,  I 
ask  Makrohi  to  pray ;  the  tears  gush  from  her  eyes,  and 


6/0  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


as  soon  as  she  can  command  herself  sufficiently  to  speak, 
she  says,  "  Varzhoohi,  I  can't  do  it !  I  never  saw  or 
heard  anything  like  this  before,  and  my  heart  is  wholly 
melted!"  At  many  of  the  houses  they  beg  us  to  stay  till 
they  can  "  prepare  a  table," — that  is,  refreshment.  This  we 
decline  till  we  are  obliged  to  have  a  respite,  and  are  enter 
tained  in  one  of  the  neatest  Armenian  houses  that  we  have 
ever  entered.  The  mistress  is  a  notable  and  thrifty  house 
wife  ;  a  pile  of  superior  bedding,  with  much  elaborate  em 
broidery  upon  the  covers,  in  what  is  called  "  applique,"  (pre 
cisely  the  style  of  that  exhibited  at  "  Castle  Glamis,"  Scot 
land — where  the  tragedy  of  Macbeth  occurred — as  the  handi 
work  of  Mary  Queen  of  Scots)  attests  her  industry  and  that 
of  her  two  brides.  While  they  are  preparing  the  meal,  she 
takes  her  seat  by  my  side,  and  says,  to  my  earnest  solicita 
tions  that  she  should  learn  to  read,  "  If  I  believed  as  you 
do,  how  I  would  work!"  "BELIEVE,  then;  and  show  us 
your  faith  by  your  works  !  You  have  plenty  of  time ;  there 
are  no  children  to  keep  you  at  home,  and  your  husband  and 
sons,  who  are  Protestants,  would  be  rejoiced  !  "  "  We  shall 
see ;"  she  replies,  and  we  can  only  pray  that  God  will  water  the 
seed  sown,  that  it  may  not  be  choked  by  worldliness,  and 
soon  wither  away.  At  every  place,  we  have  urged  upon  the 
women,  both  old  and  young,  the  necessity  of  learning  to  read 
the  Word  of  God  for  themselves ;  and  many  have  promised  to 
begin.  Makrohi  is  to  follow  up  this  work  as  a  "  Bible  woman," 
and  we  tell  her,  as  we  pass  from  one  group  to  another,  the 
course  she  is  to  pursue,  in  her  future  labors  among  them  : — 
"  Take  down  the  name  of  every  learner,  in  a  blank-book, 
and  provide  teachers  from  the  children  of  the  day-school. 
Apportion  to  each  boy  or  girl  as  many  ay  they  can  well 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA. 

teach,  and  follow  up  their  daily  lessons  with  stated  and  fre 
quent  visits,  to  note  progress  and  faithfulness  on  the  part 
of  both  teacher  and  pupils,  at  which  times  there  will  be  an 

opportunity  to  impart  more  spiritual  instruction." 

At  nightfall  we  returned  to  the  pastor's  house  too  weary  to 
tell  of  that  which  had  made  us  so  glad  ;  and  at  eight  o'clock 
the  next  morning,  a  great  company  of  the  brethren,  accom 
panied  by  many  of  our  new-found  friends  among  the  women, 
escorted  us  out  of  the  city,  mounted  on  horses,  mules,  and 
donkeys,  making  a  gay  party;  and  when  we  were  beyond 
the  town,  they  joined  in  singing  several  Sunday-school  songs. 
After  an  hour,  we  parted,  with  many  warm  thanks  on  their 
part,  and  went  on  our  way  rejoicing. 

Two  more  sleepless  nights  were  ours  on  the  return.  But 
never  did  I  so  realize  the  blessedness  of  fellowship  with 
the  sufferings  of  Christ  as  in  one  of  those  wretched  khans  ! 
His  Presence  and  Glory  seemed  to  fill  the  place!  The 
filth,  the  vermin,  and  the  hard  couch  were  all  forgotten ; 
and  nothing  that  /  had  ever  endured,  seemed  worthy  the 
name  of  self-denial,  as  I  thought  of  the  God-man,  "  born 
of  a  woman,"  in  just  such  a  stable !  That  to  Him  who 
had  left  the  purity  and  holy  companionship  of  His  "  Father's 
House,"  this. earth,  with  the  hearts  of  men  laid  open  to  His 
gaze,  must  have  seemed  a  very  hell !  Ah,  He  must  often 
have  sought  the  mountain-tops,  not  only  to  breathe  its  purer 
atmosphere,  and  pray  for  a  lost  and  ruined  world,  but  also 
fcr  communion  with  His  Father  (far  from  the  haunts  of  men) 

with  a  heart  that  was  homesick  for  Heaven  ! A  few 

weeks  passed  away,  and  a  letter  came  from  the  Malatia  pas 
tor,  to  one  of  the  missionaries,  saying,  "  There  has  been  a 
great  awakening  among  the  women  of  this  city  since  the 


6/2  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


visit  of  the  Varzhoohi.  Forty  new  women  are  learning 
to  read,  and  many  children  are  gathered  into  the  day- 
schools."  A  few  weeks  later  he  wrote  again,  "  There  are 
now  sixty  women  learning  to  read  the  Word  of  God  !"  This 
was  confirmed  by  letters  from  Makrohi,  giving  particulars 
of  the  work  which  made  her  "  feet  weary,  but  her  heart 
glad!"  Ere  long  eighty  women  were  reported  on  her  list, 
taught  by  the  "  little  teachers  "  of  the  day-schools,  whose 
instructions  she  was  faithfully  following  up ;  though  the 
great  distances  between  the  Protestant  houses  involved 
many  long  walks,  causing  her  to  return  at  night  "  so  tired, 
that  she  thought  she  could  never  go  again  ;  but  every  morn 
ing  found  her  fresh  and  vigorous  for  her  new  day's  work." 

About  this  time  a  certain  student  of  some  maturity,  was 
expecting  to  leave  the  Seminary  for  a  distant  part  of  the  field, 
and  he  needed  a  good  wife  to  help  him  in  his  future  labors. 
Makrohi  seemed  the  very  one,  and  the  only  suitable  com 
panion  for  the  candidate.  Various  endeavors  were  made  by 
the  Badvelis  to  bring  her  to  Harpoot  without  making  known 
the  real  motive.  But,  when  every  invitation  and  call  had 
failed,  a  letter  was  written  to  her,  and  to  the  Pastor  at  Ma- 
latia,  stating  the  merits  and  urgency  of  the  case.  An  answer 
was  received  within  a  week  or  two.  They  had  both  consid 
ered  the  subject,  and  laid  it  before  the  Lord,  "  with  fasting 
and  prayer,"  and  Makrohi  wrote  as  her  final  conclusion, 

"  I  HAVE  A  GREAT  WORK,  AND  CANNOT  COME  DOWN  !" 

MEETING  OF  THE  EVANGELICAL  UNION  AT  HARPOOT. 

April  2oth  was  a  great  and  glorious  day  in  Harpoot  !  And 
I  made  a  few  hurried  notes  while  looking  and  listening  in  the 
chapel,  to  the  pastors  and  delegates  of  the  Evangelical  Union, 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  6/3 

of  whom  there  was  an  imposing  array.  The  Meeting  opened 
with  religious  exercises.  A  list  of  members  and  delegates  in 
attendance  was  read  by  the  Secretary,  followed  by  the  minutes 
of  the  last  meeting,  held  at  Diarbekir.  Pastor  Marderos,  who 
presided  with  as  much  dignity  and  propriety  as  any  Moderator 
or  Chairman  of  similar  assemblies  at  home,  left  the  Chair,  that 
he  might  present  the  subject  of  a  "  National  School,  to  be  sup 
ported  by  the  people  :"  and  a  most  interesting  and  able  letter 
written  by  his  wife,  in  regard  to  the  future  training  of  the 
daughters  of  Armenia,  was  read,  and  received  special  attention. 

The  plan  stated  by  B.  Marderos  was  this  :  that  the  pastors 
give  their  tenths  for  the  support  of  the  teachers,  and  the 
churches  send  and  support  the  pupils.  The  meeting  was  then 
open  for  free  discussion.  The  hearty  approval  of  some,  and 
the  fears  of  others,  were  stated,  in  which  many  facts  were 
brought  out.  One  had  given  to  or  for  the  Virgin  Mary,  in 
former  years ;  and  another  gave  a  certain  proportion  of  his 
gains  to  his  Old  Church  till  he  became  a  Protestant ;  he  now 
gives  a  tenth  to  the  Lord.  The  Arabkir  pastor  told  of  his 
fears  the  last  Autumn  ;  but  now  his  people  had  come  up,  and 
he  thought  that  he  could  promise  from  them  the  support  of 
two  pupils. 

Hagop  Agha,  one  of  the  converts  during  the  revival,  who 
had  given  one  thousand  piastres  in  the  Winter,  spoke  well. — 
Evening,  half-past  seven  o'clock.  A  noble  assembly.  Meeting 
open  to  all  for  free  communication  of  thought.  The  subject 
of  National  School  continued.  A  brother  from  Heulakegh 
first  spoke,  in  a  simple,  heart-stirring  way.  The  Malatia  pastor 
next,  a  good,  soul-reviving  address ;  his  theme,  the  influence 
of  pastors  in  giving  tenths.  The  Heulakegh  pastor  told  of 
dropping  the  thought  of  tenths  into  the  minds  of  his  people. 
29 


6/4  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


Then  a  "  poor  brother  "  from  Shepik,  said  he  had  given  first 
fifty,  and  now  four  hundred  piastres  ;  adding,  "  Let  me  not  be 
proud  ;  to  God  be  all  the  glory  !  And,  brethren,  I  don't  feel 
it;  I  can't  say  it  has  left  a  place  (a  hole). — Can't  tell  any 
more ;  dropped  in  to  see  and  Lear."  Sarkis  Aglia,  the  head 
of  the  Protestants  in  Sivas,  said,  "  I  had  heard  of  the  'Union,' 
and  thought  it  was  a  little  thing,  not  much  ;  but  now  that  I 
have  seen  and  heard  for  myself,  my  heart  is  full  of  joy.  THIS 
is  THE  TRUE  WAY  !  How  I  wished,  as  I  sat  here,  that  our 
people  at  Sivas  could  all  be  with  me,  to  see  with  their  own 
eyes,  and  hear  with  their  own  ears  !  We  must  join  you  in  this 
effort,  that  God  may  bless  us  also."  To  which  several  voices 
responded,  "Amen  !"  The  Perchenj  pastor  next  spoke  of  a 
brother  coining  to  him  to  know  his  duty  about  giving  tenths ; 
and  of  his  own  feelings,  adverse  to  that  method  :  Finally, 
he  gave  his  name,  and  immediately  five  of  the  brethren  sent 
up  their  names ;  two  women  weeping,  sent  up  their  names 
(pledging  to  pay  their  tenths),  and  one  said,  "  When  I  am  dead, 
nil  my  property  shall  be  the  Lord's!"  Another  woman 
pledged  herself  to  pay  one  of  every  ten  piastres  which  she 
should  earn  in  her  daily  labor.  The  pastor  from  Cesarea,  in 
Cappadocia,  of  the  Western  Mission,  spoke  in  Turkish,  from 
the  words,  "When  I  am  weak,  then  am  I  strong ;"  followed  by 
the  pastor  from  Aideierman,  in  the  Southern  Mission.  Then 
one  of  the  lay  delegates  made  a  good  speech,  and  very  en 
couraging,  of  "staying  up"  the  pastors'  hands.  HagopAgha's 
prayer,  alluded  to  "  corning  out  of  Kgypt  and  slavery."  The 
Missionary  Hymn  was  sung.  Speech  of  a  helper,  "I  give  my 
self,  my  tenths,  life,  time,  honor,  all  to  the  Lord  ! "  The  Presi 
dent's  speech  about  the  missionaries  :  "  When  the  people  are 
independent,  they  will  appreciate  the  worth  of,  and  love  the  mis- 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  675 


sionaries  ten  times  more  than  before ;  and  we  shall  work 
together  in  harmony  and  love."  Several  brief  addresses  were 
made  by  laymen,  showing  that  the  pastor  must  set  his  people 
the  example ;  must  lead,  if  he  wishes  them  to  follow.  Mr. 
Williams  followed  his  missionary  brethren  in  a  few  pertinent 
remarks  about  the  impelling  motive — LOVE  TO  CHRIST  ;  that 
we  love  those  for  whom  we  suffer  and  sacrifice  something ; 
illustrating  the  truth  by  a  touching  story,  and  ending  with  the 
words,  "So  Christ  loves  to  have  us  bring  the  offerings  which 
He  can  show  to  the  Father,  and  say,  '  HERE  is  THE  EVIDENCE 
OF  THE  LOVE  OF  THE  SOULS  FOR  WHOM  I  DIED.'  "  Solemn  at 
tention  was  given  till  the  close  of  the  meeting 

In  reviewing  such  gatherings,  and  the  more  intimate  acquaint 
ance  which  constant  contact  with  the  inner  life  and  thought  of 
the  people  affords  the  missionary,  and  the  POWER  THEREBY 
GAINED  FOR  GOOD  IN  WORK  AMONG  THEM,  one  is  deeply  im- 
pressed  with  the  paramount  importance  of  CHRISTIAN  COURTESY 
in  all  our  intercourse  and  relations.  The  consciousness  that 
the  Missionary  respects  their  abilities,  tastes,  prejudices,  and 
customs,  has  a  wonderfully  elevating  influence,  and  opens  their 
hearts  to  receive  his  teachings  as  nothing  else  could  do.  .  , 
.  .  .  It  is  well  for  a  new  missionary  to  know  that,  much  as 
we  pride  ourselves  upon  our  superior  civilization,  many  of  our 
customs  are  as  disgusting  to  an  Oriental  as  some  of  theirs  to 
us.  The  dipping  of  one's  hands  into  the  water  again  and 
again,  in  washing — instead  of  having  it  poured  upon  the  hands 
— they  regard  as  very  uncleanly.  And  stones  are  circulated 
among  them,  by  those  who  have  visited  European  and  Ameri 
can  homes,  of  other  practices  (certainly  not  the  most  conducive 
to  health),  which  they  regard  with  unqualified  disgust.  A  num 
ber  of  the  Missionary  Herald,  dated  in  1825,  gives  an  incident 


6?6  THE    ROMAXCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


related  by  Dr.  Jonas  King,  in  his  travels  through  Syria.  He 
and  his  companions  had  reached  a  kahn  at  the  close  of  a  weary 
clay,  and  reclined  upon  their  carpets  to  rest,  when  a  party  of 
high  Turks,  sitting  opposite,  seemed  much  disturbed,  and  re 
peatedly  called  out  to  them  with  opprobious  epithets :  As 
they  did  not  change  their  position,  one  of  the  Moslem  attend 
ants  came  and  bade  them  remember  that  they  were  in  the 
presence  of  Turks.  When  this  produced  no  effect,  he  was 
greatly  enraged,  and  spat  upon  them  !  This  treatment  the 
"Franks"  accepted  as  "  persecution  for  righteousness'  sake  ;" 
when,  in  fact,  they  had  grossly  insulted  the  Turks  (by  stretch 
ing  out  their  feet  in  their  presence);  who,  in  turn,  showed  the 
"  infidel  dogs  "  the  greatest  possible  indignity  in  their  power. 

BLIXD  HOHAXXES,    THE    WALKIXG   CONCORDANCE 

One  day,  soon  after  my  arrival  at  Harpoot,  I  stepped  into 
Mr.  Wheeler's  study,  and  there  saw  a  man  of  rather  in 
significant  appearance,  whose  sightless  eyes  were  painful  to 
behold.  "  This  is  blind  Hohannes,"  said  the  ISadveli,  "  and  he 
wishes  to  enter  the  Seminary ;  what  do  you  say  to  our  admit 
ting  him?"  "Does  he  know  the  Bible?"  I  inquired.  "Oh, 
yes ;  they  say  that  he  has  it  at  his  tongue's  end  !  indeed,  he  is 
so  ready  in  quoting  chapter  and  verse,  that  the  Protestants 
call  him  *  Hamapapar ' '  — Concordance.  "If  that  is  the  case,  I 
should  admit  him  ;  for  the  very  fact  of  his  being  blind,  would, 
I  should  judge,  attract  and  interest  many  in  his  preaching." 

I  shall  ever  remember  hearing  Hohannes  preach  his  first 
sermon  in  the  pulpit  of  the  Harpoot  church  !  It  was  an  ex 
cessively  warm  Sunday,  and  in  his  excitement  the  great  drops 
of  perspiration  rolled  down  his  face  ;  but  the  poor  man  had 
not  prepared  himself  with  a  handkerchief  for  the  occasion,  and 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN   ARMKXIA.  677 

our  sympathies  were  much  excited  in  his  behalf.  Hohannes 
was  not  gifted  in  speech  or  intellect ;  and  some  of  the  students 
were  inclined  to  look  down  upon  their  "  weak  brother ;"  but 
God  was  preparing  him  for  a  great  work  among  his  people. 
He  was  extremely  fond  of  music,  and  his  little,  squeaking  fiddle 
was  his  constant  companion  and  valuable  helper  in  introducing 
the  Gospel  among  his  countrymen.  In  my  Winter  visits  to 
the  villages  I  often  came  across  his  track,  and  never  failed  to 
hear  his  "Come,  now,  Varzhoohi,  teach  us  that  new  tune!" 
on  our  return  from  an  evening  meeting.  After  Hohannes 
finished  his  course  of  study, — and  I  can  see  him  now  in  the 
class-room  leaning  upon  his  staff,  and  listening  intently  to  his 
teacher's  instructions, — he  was  stationed  at  Shepik,  a  miser 
ably  poor  little  village,  not  far  from  Arabkir,  where  God  greatly 
blessed  his  ministry. 

He  lately  visited  Harpoot,  and  preached  his  Sermon  on 
Tithes.  And  as  I  listened  to  that  remarkable  discourse,  I 
wished  that  friends  at  home  could  have  looked  upon  the  assem 
bly,  to  witness  for  themselves  the  interest  of  the  people.  The 
blindness  of  the  preacher  added  to  the  impression.  Saying, 
"  We  will  read"  such  a  chapter  or  hymn,  he  would  repeat  the 
same  word  for  word.  When  he  called  upon  the  people  to 
read,  it  was  for  their  sake  rather  than  his  own  ;  and  when  the 
reader  had  reached  the  point  he  desired,  he  never  failed  to  say 
"  Stop  !  "  that  he  might  take  it  up  just  there.  Doubtless  many 
a  more  learned  and  talented  man,  among  those  educated  by 
missionaries,  would  look  with  pity  akin  to  contempt  upon  this 
poor  preacher,  who  has  little  book-knowledge  except  of  his 
blessed  Bible  ;  but  ah,  how  far  above  them  he  stands  in  this 
respect ! — making  us  realize  afresh,  that  a  missionary,  of  all 
others,  needs  to  be  a  "  discerner  of  spirits  !" — This  one  Book 


678  THE   ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

is  bis  Theological  Library.  It  is  his  study  by  day  and  by  night, 
and  he  is  really  a  WALKING  CONCORDANCE  !* 

The  preacher  commenced  his  discourse  by  repeating  that 
striking  passage  in  Malachi,  "  Will  a  man  rob  God?  Yet  ye 
have  robbed  Me  :  but  ye  say,  Wherein  have  we  robbed  Thee  ? 
In  tithes  and  offerings." — He  then,  in  few  words,  told  us  that 
he  proposed  to  show  from  the  Word  of  God  that  the  giving  of 
a  tenth  to  the  Lord  was  a  primitive  institution,  attended  with 
great  benefits  and  blessings  to  the  givers,  and  perpetuated 
and  enforced  under  the  New  Dispensation  no  less  than  the  Old. 

"  Open  your  Bibles,"  he  said,  "  at  the  1/j.th  chapter  of  Gene 
sis,  and  let  some  one  read  the  i8th  and  2oth  verses."  Bibles 
were  instantly  opened  all  over  the  house,  and  the  passage  read, 
in  clear  tones,  by  one  of  the  congregation.  "Abraham  gave 
tithes  to  Melchizedek,"  said  the  preacher,  "more  than  four 
hundred  years  before  the  giving  of  the  law  to  Moses  : — Abra 
ham,  the  '  father  of  the  faithful,'  whose  children  the  Jews  gloried 
in  being — Abraham,  whom  even  Moslems  honor  and  called 
'The  Blessed.'" 

"Now  turn  to  the  28th  chapter  and  read  the  2oth,  2ist, 
and  22d  verses."  Jacob's  vow  was  read,  concluding  with  the 
words,  "  And  of  all  that  thou  shalt  give  me,  I  will  surely  give 
the  tenth  to  Thee."  He  then  rapidly  drew  the  contrast  between 
Jacob's  going  to  Padan-aram — alone,  and  in  utter  destitution 
— and  the  return,  with  his  flocks  and  herds  and  camels,  men- 
servants  and  maid  servants;  for  the  man  had  increased  exceed 
ingly,  in  spite  of  the  covetousness  of  Laban.  "And  now,"  he 
said,  "open  at  the  27th  of  Leviticus,  and  read  the  3oth  verse. 
"  'And  all  the  tithes  of  the  land  is  the  Lord's,1  "  repeated  the 
preacher, — "nine-tenths  for  yourselves,  but  one-tenth  is  holy 

*  This  account  was  first  written  for  the  Missionary  Herald. 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  679 

unto  the  Lord.  Open  at  Numbers  xviii.,  and  read  the 
2oth,  2ist,  26th,  28th,  and  29th  verses."  This  was  done, 
and  then  Hohannes  briefly  commented  upon  each  verse. 
He  said  that  the  Levites,  who  ministered  in  the  house  of 
the  Lord,  were  to  have  no  part  or  inheritance  in  the  land, 
for  the  tithes  of  the  people  were  to  be  their  inheritance  ; 
and  of  these  tithes,  they  were  to  offer  a  tenth  to  the  Lord, 
"even  of  all  the  Best  thereof!"  "Read  Deut.  xiv.  22,  and 
xxvi.  12.  See  the  abundant  provision  made,  not  only  for  the 
Levites,  but  also  for  the  'stranger,  the  fatherless,  and  the  widow.' 
Read  also  2  Chron.  xxxi.  4-10,  where  the  people  are  described 
as  obeying  the  command  of  God,  and  bringing  in  'abundantly' 
of  the  *  increase  of  the  land.'  And  the  chief  priest  answered 
King  Hezekiah,  when  he  questioned  him  concerning  the  'heaps' 
—'Since  the  people  began  to  bring  the  offerings  into  the  house 
of  the  Lord,  we  have  had  enough  to  eat,  and  have  left  plenty ; 
for  the  Lord  hath  blessed  his  people,  and  that  which  is  left  is 
this  great  store.' " 

"  Now  read  Nehemiah  xiii.  loth,  i3th,  and  i4th  verses.  Mark 
the  contrast  !  The  people  no  longer  gave  tithes  ; — the  house  of 
the  Lord  was  desecrated,  and  the  Levites  had  forsaken  their  sa 
cred  office,  and  'fled,  every  one  to  his  own  FIELD  ! '  And  now," 
said  the  preacher,  "we  will  turn  to  the  New  Dispensation. 
Open  at  the  23d  of  Matthew  and  read  the  23d  verse  :  'These 
ought  ye  to  have  done,  and  not  to  leave  the  other  undone,' 
are  our  blessed  Savior's  words  to  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees. 
Ye  do  well  to  pay  tithes, — it  is  your  duty, — but  ye  ought  also 
to  do  judgment,  mercy,  and  faith.  Now  turn  to  Luke  xi.  42  : 
'  Wo  unto  you  Pharisees,  for  ye  tithe  ....  all  manner  of 
herbs,  and  pass  over  judgment  and  the  love  of  God:  these 
ought  ye  to  have  done,  and  not  to  leave  other  undone.'  Read 


6SO  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


Luke  iii.  7-12  :  '  Bring  forth  fruits  worthy  of  repentance,'"  re 
peated  the  preacher.  "  John  the  Baptist  was  a  connecting 
link  between  the  Jewish  and  the  Gospel  dispensations,  and  he 
spake  as  he  was  moved  by  the  Spirit  of  God, — •'  Now  also  is 
the  axe  laid  at  the  root  of  the  tree.'  What  tree  ?  It  was  noth 
ing  less  than  the  tree — the  ROOT — of  SELF  and  SELFISHNESS  ! 
What  this  good  fruit  is  He  tells  us  in  the  nth  verse  :  '  He  that 
hath  two  coats,  let  him  impart  to  him  that  hath  none ;  and  he 
that  hath  meat  (food),  let  him  do  likewise.'  Where  now  remains 
the  TENTH  ?"  he  exclaimed.  "  Under  the  New  Dispensation, 
not  one-tenth  merely,  but  ONE-HALF  is  required  !"  (At  this 
announcement  there  was  an  evident  sensation  in  the  audience; 
many  a  face  lighted  up  with  a  smile,  as  the  electric  current 
shot  through  the  assembly.) 

The  preacher  continued  :  "  Read  now  the  6th  of  Luke,  38th 
verse  :  '  Give,  and  it  shall  be  given  unto  you/  Give,  and  you 
shall  have  the  wherewithal  to  give  !  Shut  your  hand  and  your 
heart,  and  you  shut  the  windows  of  heaven  ;  you  keep  back 
the  blessing  of  God.  See  what  Christ  says  in  Luke  xii.  33  : 
'  Sell  that  ye  have  and  give  alms,'  which  means — consider 
yourselves  as  stewards  of  God's  grace  on  the  earth  ;  seeking 
your  inheritance  in  the  world  to  come.  You  are  to  set  light 
store  by  your  earthly  possessions,  and  lay  up  Treasure  in  Heaven. 
Now  read  Luke  xiv.  33."  Slowly  and  solemnly  the  preacher 
repeated  the  words  of  the  Master,  "  '  So  likewise,  whosoever 
he  be  of  you  that  forsaketh  not  ALL  that  he  hath,  he  CANNOT 
be  my  disciple  !'  Ah,  my  brethren,"  he  said,  "  it  is  not  merely 
a  tenth,  or  even  a  half  of  our  worldly  possessions  that  Christ 
claims,  //  is  our  ALL  !  Think  upon  the  meaning  of  those  words. 
It  is  thus  He  speaks  to  you  :  *  If  you  wish  to  be  my  disciple, 
you  must  count  the  cost  !  You  cannot  serve  two  masters.  You 


SOWING  AND    REAl'INC;    IN   ARMENIA.  68 1 

must  give  up  everything  that  the  children  of  this  world  seek 
after.  You  must  hold  yourselves  aloof  from  your  earthly  pos 
sessions  (the  Armenian  version  of  the  text  quoted  from  Luke 
xiv.  33),  holding  to  them  loosely,  setting  your  affections  on 
things  above.  Your  comfort,  pleasure,  honor,  ease,  yea,  your 
very  life,  you  must  esteem  as  nothing  in  comparison  with  My 
Service  !  And  in  thus  losing  all  you  will  find  ALL,  and  that 
for  ever  !'  " 

u  Open  your  Bibles  at  Matthew  xix.  29,  and  at  Mark  x.  29, 
and  read  the  glorious  promise  to  those  who  truly  ' forsake  air 
for  Christ  and  His  Cause.  See,"  exclaimed  Hohannes,  after 
solemnly  repeating  the  passage,  "  see  how  Rich  the  Reward  ! 
A  hundred-fold  in  this  life,  and  life  everlasting  beside  !  Now 
open  at  Luke  xix.,  read  from  the  2d  to  the  zoth  verse.  Note 
the  words  of  Zaccheus  :  '  The  half  of  my  goods  I  give  to  the 
poor' — and  mark  the  answer  of  our  Savior.  But  what  say 
you  ?  Is  salvation  to  be  bought  with  money  ?  We  all  know 
that  it  is  'without  money,  and  without  price.'  Why  then  this 
blessing  upon  Zaccheus?"  "Because,"  answered  one  of  the 
congregation,  "  the  giving  was  the  fruit  of  \\isfait/i  /  "  "  Yes,'' 
rejoined  the  preacher,  "  Zaccheus  brought  forth  fruit  worthy  of 
true  repentance,  and  immediately  received  the  promised 
blessing. 

"  Now  let  me  tell  you  a  story.  When  I  was  in  the  class  in 
sermonizing,  in  the  Seminary,  our  teacher  was  very  anxious 
that  we  who  were  soon  to  go  forth  as  Preachers,  and  perhaps 
become  Pastors,  should  work  upon  right  principles  ;  and  he 
often  talked  to  us  of  our  duty,  as  leaders,  to  teach  the  people  to 
do  for  themselves.  He  sometimes  told  us  of  places  where  much 
money  (of  the  American  Board)  had  been  expended  by  mission 
aries,  and  little  real  good  accomplished,  because  the  people 

29* 


682  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


had  not  been  taught  to  give  for  Christ's  cause.  '  In  one  little 
village/  he  said,  '40,000  piastres  of  the  Board's  money  was 
spent,  the  people  giving  only  50  piastres  during  thirteen  years  ! 
And  the  work  in  that  place  amounts  to  nothing,  to-day,  in 
consequence  of  this  unwise  course.' 

"  It  so  happened,  that  when  my  course  of  study  was  finished, 
I  was  appointed  to  that  village.  It  was  the  last  place  I  should 
have  chosen.  I  had  no  desire  to  go  to  that  field,  but  God 
had  so  ordered,  and  I  went.  The  missionaries  told  me  that 
my  wages  would  be  1,500  piastres  per  year,*  of  which  the 
people  were  to  raise  600  piastres  ;  and  before  I  left,  Badveli 
Wheeler  took  me  aside,  and  counselled  me  to  make  it  as  easy 
for  the  people  as  possible,  by  eating  at  their  houses,  because 
it  would  come  hard  to  them  at  first  to  do  so  much.  Soon 
after  I  went  there,  a  neighboring  pastor  came  over  to  the 
village,  and  we  held  a  meeting  with  the  brethren.  We  talked 
about  my  support,  and  it  seemed  that  they  had,  with  much 
difficulty,  subscribed  500  piastres  per  year.  I  told  them  the 
missionaries  had  said  they  would  raise  600.  '  Never  !  '  they 
exclaimed,  'we  cannot  raise  another  para  /'  And  Pastor  M. 
said  it  was  impossible — they  were  too  poor.  'Where  then, 
shall  I  get  my  other  hundred  ? '  I  asked.  '  We  will  help  you 
from  our  place,'  he  answered. 

"  But  my  mind  was  not  at  rest.  That  night  I  thought  much 
on  the  subject.  I  said  to  myself — 'Suppose  the  American 
Board  should  some  day  withdraw  its  support  from  this  and 
other  feeble  churches,  what  will  become  of  them  ? '  And  I 
prayed  :  *  O  Thou  who  knowest  all  things,  and  with  whom  are 
all  plans,  show  Thy  ignorant  servant  how  Thy  kingdom  can  best 
be  established  in  this  land.'  And  it  seemed  to  me  that  a  voice 

*  Sixty  dollars.    The  piastre  is  about  four  cents. 


SOWING  AND    REAPING  IN  ARMENIA.  683 


said,  in  my  soul—'  It  can  be  done,  by  giving  one  in  every  ten!' 
When  I  thought  it  over,  it  occurred  to  me  to  test  it  first  in  my 
own  case.  One  tenth  of  my  1,500  per  year  would  be  150 
piastres.  *  No ! '  I  said,  *  I  can't  give  as  much  as  that ;  I 
should  suffer  for  it.'  But  when  I  came  to  take  it  out  of  every 
month' s  allowance,  it  did  not  seem  so  much.  *  One  tenth  of 
my  125  per  month,  will  be  12 J  piastres  ;  I  can  do  it,'  I  said, 
'  and  I wittt  even  if  I  do  have  to  pinch  a  little  !  '*  It  happened 
that  Pastor  Bedros  visited  us  about  that  time,  and  I  laid  the 
subject  before  him.  'It  can  be  done,'  he  said,  'and  it  must 
be.  I  will  give  a  tenth  of  my  salary.'  And  so  said  Preacher 
Hagop,  who  also  came  over.  '  Well,  then,'  I  said,  '  do  you  think 
it  will  do  for  me  to  lay  it  before  the  brethren  ?  '  '  Yes,'  they 
replied,  '  it  is  the  best  thing  you  can  do.'  So  I  prepared  myself 
and  preached  to  the  people  on  the  next  Sabbath.  The  Lord 
blessed  His  own  word.  They  accepted  it,  and  came  together 
to  be  'written'  for  their  tithes.  When  we  made  a  rough 
estimate,  it  appeared  that  their  tenths  would  amount  to  more 
than  my  entire  salary  !  '  Why,  how  is  this  ?  '  they  all  said  ;  '  it 
was  so  hard  before,  but  now  it  comes  very  easy,  and  is  truly 
pleasant.' 

"  Now,  to  show  you  how  God  blessed  that  little  flock,  I  will 
mention  one  case.  There  was  one  of  the  brethren  who  had  a 
vegetable  garden,  which  the  Turkish  official,  in  writing  down  the 
taxes,  had  estimated  at  900  piastres  (for  that  year's  produce), 
taxing  him  90  piastres.  Others  said  it  was  too  much;  it  would 
not  produce  that  amount.  But  mark  the  fulfilment  of  the 
promise  in  Malachi  iii.  10.  That  brother  sold  3,000  piastres' 
worth  of  vegetables,  besides  what  was  eaten  by  a  household  of 
thirty-two  persons,  and  given  away,  amounting  to  full  3,000 

*  Hohannes  bad  no  family  to  support. 


684  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


more.*  Others  were  also  blessed,  and  all  acknowledged  that 
they  had  never  known  a  year  of  such  prosperity.  The  people 
not  only  supported  their  Preacher  and  School-teacher,  but  also 
paid  over  2,000  piastres  for  other  purposes." 

The  preacher  was  about  to  close  his  discourse,  when  a  mem 
ber  of  the  congregation  arose,  and  asked  permission  to  say  a  few 
words.  "I  have  learned,"  he  said,  '-from  one  of  the  mission 
aries  at  Oorfa,  another  truth  which  has  great  weight  in  this  giving 
of  one-tenth  of  our  income  to  the  Lord.  Under  the  old  dis 
pensation,  the  Jews  were  only  required  to  care  for  their  own 
nation,  but  under  the  New  Dispensation  the  Command  is,  *  Go 

YE    INTO  ALL  THE  WORLD,  AND  PREACH    THE  GOSPEL    TO  EVERY 

CREATURE  !'  Therefore  a  tenth  is  not  enough  for  Christians  to 
give."  To  this  the  preacher  responded  :  "  A  teiitJi  is  the  very 
least  that  a  disciple  of  Christ  can  give.  Over  and  above  that, 
he  should  give  as  God  prospers  him."  "  And  now,"  he  added, 
"  let  us  seek  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  we,  and  all  our 
offerings,  may  find  acceptance  before  God." 

It  is  difficult  to  do  justice  to  a  scene  and  a  sermon  so  unique. 
When  that  sightless  man  was  led  up  into  the  pulpit,  his  appear 
ance  was  anything  but  attractive.  He  looked  rough  and 
uncared-for;  quite  inferior  in  person.  But  he  had  a  Message 
from  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  and  well  did  he  deliver  it ;  reminding 
one  of  the  words  :  "  God  hath  Chosen  the  weak  things  of  the 
world  to  confound  the  things  which  are  mighty,  and  base  things 
of  the  world,  and  things  which  are  DESPISED,  hath  God  CHOSEN." 

It  was  worth  much  to  see  and  hear  one  who  had  been  so 
evidently  taught  of  the  Spirit,  and  made  the  honored  instrument 
of  laying  a  new  foundation-stone  for  the  building  of  Christ's 


*  As  we  left  the  chapel,  Maranos  whispered,  "  It  is  all  true,  for  that 
story  was  about  my  father." 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  685 

Church  throughout  the  world !  I'or  the  new  ray  of  light 
that  dawned  in  that  obscure  village  of  Armenia,  two  years 
since,  has  begun  to  radiate  from  many  distant  points,  and  we 
believe  that  it  will  solve  the  problem  of  the  support  of  Christian 
institutions  in  all  lands,  and  hasten  the  day  when  the  earth 
shall  be  filled  with  the  glory  of  God.  Well  may  every  worker 
in  foreign  lands  say,  with  Jesus  :  "  I  thank  thee,  O  Father, 
Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  because  Thou  hast  hid  these  things 
from  the  wise  and  prudent  and  hast  revealed  them  unto  babes. 
Even  so,  Father,  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight."  The 
following  brief  statement  of  the  influence  exerted  by  this  ab 
stract  of  Hohannes's  discourse  is  copied  from  a  leading  journal.* 
When  we  learned  a  year  or  two  later,  that  Blind  Hohannes 
had  gone  from  earth  to  the  Work  and  Worship  of  the  heavenly 
world,  we  could  but  feel  that  he  was  taken  away  from  the  evil 
to  come.  It  is  not  in  human  nature,  even  when  under  the 
influence  of  renewing  grace,  to  endure,  without  injury,  the 


*  The  January  number  of  the  Christian  Work,  a  standard  English 
missionary  publication,  reprints  with  due  acknowledgment,  from  the 
Missionary  Herald,  blind  Hohannes'  Sermon  on  Tithes,  with  the  sug 
gestion  that  it  be  circulated  by  hundreds  of  thousands  among  the 
Christian  people  of  England.  There  is  hardly  anything  more  remark 
able  in  the  history  of  modern  missions  than  the  influence  God  has 
been  pleased  to  give  to  this  poor  blind  man,  set  to  laboring  as  best  he 
could  in  one  of  the  poorest  mountain  villages  of  the  interior  of  Turkey. 
His  words,  enforced  by  his  humble  spirit  of  self-sacrifice,  have  proved 
a  power  in  the  hearts  of  the  native  Christians  from  the  Bosphorus  to 
the  Tigris  ;  have  been  repeated  on  the  plains  of  India,  in  China,  and 
Africa  ;  (and  translated  into  Welsh  have  awaked  a  great  interest  all 
over  Wales),  causing  the  establishment  of  several  churches  with 
pastors  supported  by  the  people,  read  with  interest  by  thousands  in 
this  country,  and  are  now  urged  upon  the  attention  of  Christians  in 
Great  Britain.  The  kindly  sympathy  of  the  gospel  shown  by  the 
missionaries  at  Harpoot  to  one  of  the  "  little  ones,"  is  bearing  the 
most  precious  fruit. 


686  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

praise  and  applause  of  the  world.  And  had  the  good  man 
lived  to  know  what  results  were  accomplished  by  his  setting 
forth  of  the  truth  which  God  had  imparted  to  him,  it  might 
have  puffed  him  up  with  pride  and  conceit.*  It  is  a  painful 
fact  that  such  has  been  the  result  in  other  cases,  where  those 
who  had  been  trained  by  missionaries  to  preach  the  Gospel 
among  their  own  countrymen,  have  read  or  heard  so  much  in 
praise  of  their  ability  and  usefulness,  that  the  balance  of  their 
mental  equilibrium  had  been  greatly  disturbed.  "I  can  write  a 

sermon  in  fifteen  minutes,  which  will  take  Mr.  • two  hours," 

exultingly  said  one  of  the  young  Armenian  preachers  who  had 
been  petted  and  praised  by  that  generous  and  magnanimous 
missionary.  "  Miss  S.,  when  are  you  going  to  write  about  me?  " 
asked  a  young  Hindoo  girl  of  her  teacher,  after  reading  (in 
English)  an  interesting  account  of  a  school-mate,  published  in 
a  missionary  periodical.  And  we  have  heard  of  others  who 
looked  through  such  journals  to  find  their  own  names;  and  of 
still  others,  who  could  not  appreciate  the  true  motive  of  the 


*  The  eulogiums  and  laudations  which  one  often  hears,  and  reads 
of  living  personages  ("  tormented  before  their  time,")  according  to  the 
custom  now  so  prevalent, — calls  to  mind  the  experience  of  an  eccen 
tric  character  who  had  always  insisted  that  every  man  ought  to  hear 
his  own  funeral  sermon,  since  it  concerned  //*'///  more  than  anybody 
else  !  So,  when  he  was  very  ill,  and  sure  that  he  was  "  elected  to 
die,"  he  sent  his  good  wife  to  the  old  minister,  who  kindly  complied 
with  the  novel  request ;  and  when  he  had  prepared  the  sermon,  came 
with  all  gravity  to  read  it  by  his  bedside.  "I  never  was  much  given 
to  being  proud,  or  sot  up,"  said  the  old  man  (who  lived  to  tell  the 
story,)  "  but  that  sermon  almost  did  the  business  for  me  ! — To  think 
of  the  church  crowded  full  of  people,  and  some  standing  in  the  aisles, 
and  me,  lying  there  in  my  coffin,  and  the  minister  looking  down  from 
the  pulpit,  and  saying  all  that  for  an  hour  !  Why,  I  almost  backslode  I 
I  came  mighty  nigh  falling  from  grace  !  I  tell  you,  if  there's  anything 
that  '11  make  a  man  sot  up,  it's  HEARING  HIS  OWN  FUNERAL  SERMON  !" 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  68/ 

missionaries  in  publishing  the  details  of  their  work,  and  attrib 
uted  the  entire  enterprise  to  a  desire  for  fame  ! 

Blind  Hohannes  died  at  the  village  of  Havadoric,  an  out- 
station  of  Bitlis  ;  which  a  colporteur  had  reported  but  a  short 
time  before,  as  being  a  "  heaven  on  earth."  "  In  that  village 
of  but  forty  houses  among  the  mountains,  where  a  few  years 
since  the  people  were  notorious  as  robbers  and  murderers,  now 
how  changed,"  writes  Mr.  Knapp.  "  Sixty  are  learning  to  read, 
some  of  whom  are  upwards  of  eighty  years  of  age !  I  spent  a 
night  in  that  village  last  Fall,  and  while  I  sat  out  of  doors 
talking  with  the  villagers  about  the  necessity  of  educating  their 
sons  and  daughters,  I  noticed  a  couple  of  the  latter  who 
came  tugging  up  the  exceedingly  steep  mountain,  each  with  a 
ponderous  load  of  brush-wood  and  roots  upon  her  back,  whjch 
had  been  gathered  upon  the  adjoining  hills.  As  they  threw 
down  their  loads  near  my  feet,  panting  for  breath,  and  the  per 
spiration  flowing  from  their  faces,  an  old  man  turned  round  and 
said,  '  Educate  our  daughters  !  Why,  if  we  should  do  that,  who 

would  bring  our  wood V They  are  having  religious 

meetings  every  day,  and  are  collecting  stones  from  the  moun 
tain  sides,  hoping  to  build  a  chapel  in  the  Spring."  Only  a  few 
days  later  the  same  pen  records  the  death  of  the  faithful  worker. 

"  Hohannes  died  after  three  or  four  days  illness.  He  was 
apprehensive  that  he  should  not  survive,  and  spent  much  of  his 
time  in  giving  counsel  to  his  little  flock,  and  in  making  arrange 
ments  for  the  future  comfort  of  his  wife.  So  calm  was  he,  and 
so  confident  of  his  approaching  end,  that  he  gave  special  direc 
tions  as  to  his  burial,  and  had  himself  clothed  in  the  apparel 
in  which  he  wished  to  be  interred.  Preacher  Garabed  went 
with  some  of  the  Christian  brethren  from  Moosh  to  officiate  at 
the  last  sad  offices  of  burial,  expecting,  as  usual  in  such  cases, 


688  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

to  meet  with  much  opposition  from  the  Armenians  (who  refuse 
a  place  in  their  cemeteries  to  Protestants).  But  so  completely 
had  Hohannes  won  their  hearts  during  the  four  months  of  his 
labors  among  them,  that,  greatly  to  the  surprise  of  Garabecl 
and  his  party,  they  found  that  the  Old  Church  Armenians  vied 
with  the  Protestants  in  honoring  the  departed,  and  especially 
in  seeing  that  his  last  requests  were  carried  out  to  the  letter. 
The  Armenians  were  genuine  mourners  with  the  Protestants  at 
his  grave,  which  they  allowed  in  their  own  burial-place.  lie 
was  greatly  beloved  by  all  classes,  and  the  Christians  of  that 
now  stricken  village  deeply  mourn  his  removal.  Hohannes 
earnestly  besought  us  to  throw  our  influence  in  favor  of  the 
tithing  system  ;  and  he  practiced  what  he  preached.  His 
salary,  necessarily  on  an  economical  basis,  was  only  $8  a 
month ;  and  although  he  had  a  wife  and  a  lad  to  support  from 
this,  he  gave,  without  fail,  one-tenth  into  the  "store-house," 
leaving  $7.20  for  the  monthly  support  of  his  family. 

In  looking  over  the  columns  of  the  Missionary  Herald,  and 
noting  some  of  the  far-reaching  results  of  the  life  and  work  of 
him  who,  without  danger  of  spiritual  pride,  will  reap  its  fruits 
through  all  eternity,  we  find  an  account  of  an  Evangelical 
Union  in  the  Mahratta  Mission,  India,  with  addresses  by  na 
tive  preachers  on  the  "  setting  aside,  and  giving  of  a  tenth  of 
every  one's  income  for  religious  uses,  as  the  minimum"  The 
question  under  discussion  was,  "  How  can  our  churches  be 
come  Self-Supporting?"  and  one  of  the  leading  native  pastors 
said,  in  substance,  as  follows :  "  How  does  it  happen  that  such 
a  question  arises  in  regard  to  our  churches?  Do  not  Chris 
tians  provide  for  their  own  temporal  support  ?  Their  souls  are 
certainly  as  much  their  own  as  their  bodies  !  People  of  other 
religions  and  Christians  of  other  lands  support  their  own  relig- 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  689 


ious  teachers.  Why  should  not  Christians  here  do  the  same  ? 
Does  Christianity  seem  to  them  of  so  little  value  that  they  are 
unwilling  it  should  cost  them  anything  ?  Not  so  ;  but  there  is 
a  proverb  which  says,  '"Who  will  go  afoot  when  he  has  a  horse 
to  ride  ? '  And  in  like  manner,  why  should  we  be  at  any  ex 
pense  in  religious  matters  when  the  Mission  is  so  ready  to  bear 
it  all  for  us?  This  leads  to  another  question:  Why  did  the 
Mission  at  first  assume  this  expense  ?  and  why  have  they  borne 
it  till  the  present  time,  instead  of  calling  upon  us  to  take  it? 
.  .  .  Unfortunately  the  result  of  this  course  has  proved  most 

disastrous  for  us We  have  grown  up  from  infancy 

to  maturity,  increasing  from  half  a  dozen  to  as  many  hundreds, 
and  from  one  to  twenty-three  churches.  The  cost  of  support 
ing  our  pastors  and  our  schools  has  largely  increased,  but  we 
seem  to  ourselves  utterly  unable  to  lift  the  burden  a  finger's 
breadth.  Our  indulgent  mother  (the  Mission)  must  still  carry  us 
in  her  arms,  for  she  and  we  both  think  that  we  cannot  yet  walk 
alone  !  Had  we  been  accustomed,  from  the  first,  to  give  accord 
ing  to  our  ability,  the  ability  to  give  would  have  increased  with 
our  growth,  and  to-day  we  might  have  been  able  to  bear  the 
whole  burden  !  What  if  this  support  on  which  we 

are  leaning  were  suddenly  withdrawn,  where  would  it  leave  us  ? 
Wre  cannot  expect  it  to  be  always  continued.  It  behooves  us, 
then,  as  wise  men,  to  set  things  in  train  for  SELF-SUPPORT  ! 
.  .  .  .  If  we  take  hold  in  earnest,  and  make  proper  exer 
tions,  we  can  bear  all  the  ordinary  expenses  of  our  Christian 
institutions.  .  .  .  Did  we  not  buy  those  lifeless,  good-for- 
nothing  idols,  build  temples  for  them,  and  pay  for  their  conse 
cration  and  worship?  Did  we  not  provide  the  turmeric,  frank 
incense,  flowers,  lamps,  and  meat-offerings  for  the  ordinary 
worship,  and  special  gifts  for  the  festal  days  of  our  fictitious 


690  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 

household  gods  ?  And  the  still  heavier  expenses  of  sacrifices, 
oblations,  and  feasts  for  the  numerous  worshippers — did  we  not 
bear  these  also  ?  The  bootless  cost  of  long  pilgrimages  ;  the 
fees  and  ritual  expenses,  incurred  at  such  places,  did  we  not 
pay  them  all?  And  how  much  did  we  give  for  hearing  the 
legends,  purans,  kirttans,  and  other  recitations  ?  How  much 
went  for  needless  funeral  rites,  lunar  observations,  and  feasts 
for  the  dead  ?  How  much  to  fortune-tellers,  etc.,  etc."  .  .  . 
Such  testimony  from  one  of  tliemsclves,  is  worth  infinitely  more 
to  Foreign  Missions  than  volumes  of  sermons  by  outsiders ! 
When  Mr.  Williams  was  in  Mosul,  last  Winter,  he  heard  that 
there  was  a  Frank  traveler  stopping  at  one  of  the  city  khans. 
He  called,  and  found  an  English  banker,  who  had  been  spending 
a  year  in  India  for  his  health.  As  a  Christian  man  he  was 
deeply  interested  in  Missions,  and  inquired  how  the  Cause  was 
prospering  in  that  part  of  the  world.  When  told  of  the  efforts 
put  forth  by  the  Protestant  Armenians  to  support  their  own 
(Gospel)  institutions,  he  said,  with  much  emphasis  :  "  THAT  is 
THE  TRUE  WAY  !  As  a  business  man,  I  have  watched  the  Mis 
sion-work  in  various  parts  of  India,  and  it  is  my  settled  convic 
tion  that,  where  the  people  are  not  willing  to  practice  self- 
denial,  and  do  for  themselves,  there  is  no  real  foundation  to  the 
work  among  them.  In  the  end  it  will  prove  a  humbug  !  " 

Some  of  the  facts  which  have  lately  come  to  light  respecting 
the  giving  of  a  tenth  to  the  Lord  by  the  people  of  Harpoot 
and  its  vicinity  are  so  remarkable  that  they  border  on  the 
marvelous.  The  good  pastor  of  Heulakegh  says  :  "  I  hardly 
dare  to  mention  it,  lest  it  should  provoke  a  smile  of  incredulity, 
but  it  is  a  fact  which  my  own  eyes  have  witnessed  too  often  to 
be  deceived ;  any  one  who  chooses  to  glance  over  the  fields  of 
growing  grain  around  our  village,  can  tell  those  of  the  Protest- 


SOWING  AND   REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  69! 


ant  tithe-payers  by  their  excellent  condition,  while  many  of  those 
adjoining  have  been  injured,  and  present  a  very  different  ap 
pearance."     The  business  of  raising  silk  is  very  precarious,  al 
most  as  uncertain  as  a  lottery  ;  but  "  this  year  the   silk -worms 
of  the  Harpoot  Protestants  (all  tithe-payers)  have  been  in  fine 
condition,  while  Armenians  and  Turks,  engaged  in  the  business 
at  the  same  place,  have  suffered  a  total  loss.     The  chief  objec 
tion  to  Protestants  engaging  in  the  business  is,  that  for  four  or 
five  weeks  the  worms  must  be  fed  and  cared  for  on  Sunday. 
The  worms,  however,  are  dormant  once  in  eight  or  ten  days,  re 
quiring  no  labor  on  that  day.     And  it   has  so  happened  this 
year  that  the  worms  belonging  to  the  Protestants   slept  on  the 
Sundays,  thus  freeing  our  brethren    from  work  on  that  day  ! 
We  have  made  inquiry  among  silk  cultivators  to  learn  whether 
there  is  any  law  or  habit  by  which  the  period  of  their  sleeping 
can  be  controlled,  but  without  success.     Though  we  do  not 
predicate    anything    upon  these    facts,"    writes    Mr.  Barnum, 
"  they  seem  quite  remarkable,  and  have  attracted  much  atten 
tion  here."     It  was  not  a  little  amusing  to  learn  that  two  Turks, 
in  another  place,  having  noticed  the  unusual  prosperity  of  the 
Protestants,  and  attributing  it  to  their  new  principle  of  giving  a 
tenth  to  God,  secretly  came  and  begged  to  have  "  their  names 
written  "  as  tithe-payers  also  !    Many  of  the  brethren  have  been 
so  unusually  prospered  since  commencing  this  consecration  of 
their  property  to  the  Lord,  that  they  say  their  nine-tenths  will 
be  more  than  the  whole  used  to  be  when  they  gave  little  or  noth 
ing  to  the  Lord.     God  seems  to  have  encouraged    the  faith 
of   His  simple-minded  children,  by  opening  the  windows  of 
heaven  as  promised  (under  the  Old  Testament  dispensation), 
and  pouring  out  temporal  blessings.     They  have  honored  Him 
with    their   substance,  and    He    has  "  filled  their   barns  with 


692  THE   ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 

plenty,  and  their  presses  burst  out  with  new  wine."  "  Take 
it  quick,  quick  !  "  said  a  merchant,  who  had  promised,  like 
Jacob,  to  return  to  the  Lord  a  tenth  of  all  that  He  should  give 
him,  and  found  that  it  amounted  to  so  large  a  sum  that  he  said, 
"I  cannot  give  so  much"  ;  and  set  aside  a  smaller  amount; 
when  his  conscience  smote  him,  and  coming  to  himself,  he 
cried  :  "  What  !  can  I  be  so  mean  ?  Because  God  has  thus 
blessed  me  that  I  have  this  large  profit,  shall  I  now  rob  Hun 
of  His  portion  ?  "  And  fearing  his  own  selfish  nature,  he  made 
haste  to  place  it  beyond  his  reach,  in  the  Treasury  of  the 
Lord  ;  coming  almost  breathless  to  the  pastor's  house,  and  hold 
ing  the  money  in  his  outstretched  hand.  [This  was  one  of 
the  private  transactions  witnessed  and  related  to  me  by  a  for 
mer  pupil,  the-  wife  of  the  pastor.  And  I  was  delighted  to 
learn,  from  the  same  source,  of  the  enthusiasm  displayed  by 
the  Protestant  women,  in  spinning,  weaving,  and  knitting,  to 
earn  money  for  the  support  of  their  Koordish  students,  and  for 
the  "  National  School."  This  is  even  more  hopeful,  for  the 
future,  than  the  cutting  off  of  jewels  for  chapel  building,  (an 
instance  of  which  accidentally  came  to  my  knowledge,  in  a 
recent  visit  to  a  village,  where,  soon  after  entering  the  pastor's 
room,  I  saw  a  donkey  come  to  the  door,  heavily  laden  with 
two  great  bags,  which  a  couple  of  stout  men,  with  evident  ef 
fort,  brought  in.  Approaching  the  sacks,  I  found  that  they 
were  filled  with  copper  coin,  and  to  my  inquiry,  the  pastor 
said:  "They're  the  avails  of  ornaments  contributed  by  the 
'  sisters'  to  help  build  our  new  chapel!")  ....  The 
children  of  Hooeli  contributed,  at  one  of  their  meetings,  suf 
ficient  to  pay  for  the  two  pillars  in  front  of  the  pulpit  in  the 
new  house  of  worship ;  and  nothing  in  my  missionary  life 
ever  touched  me  more  than  to  see  those  poor  lambs  of  the 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  693 


fold,  giving,  with  great  joy,  the  money  which  they  had  saved, 
or  earned,  as  "  A  PRESENT  TO  JESUS  !  "  instead  of  spending  it 
for  cheap  sweetmeats  or  toys].  The  Harpoot  church  has 
wholly  supported  its  pastor  since  the  year  1866.*  In  reply  to 
inquiries  made  of  Pastor  Marderos  by  a  missionary  from 
another  field,  who  fancied  that  there  might  be  some  undue 
pressure  exerted  to  bring  about  such  a  result,  he  frankly  said  : 
"It  comes  as  easily  as  this;  if  my  people  promise  me  six 
thousand  piastres  per  year,  it  always  amounts  to  seven  thousand. 
They  look  out  for  my  interests  in  various  ways.  One  comes 
to  tell  me  of  wood  or  coal  that  can  be  procured  cheaply, 
another  of  wheat  and  other  provisions,  in  the  market,  at  a  re 
duced  price,  and  so  on  ;  because  they  feel  that  I  belong  to 
them  ! "  It  is  soul-cheering  to  see  actually  realized,  not  only 
in  one — but  many  instances — the  principles  so  long  advocated 
in  the  Western  Mission  by  Mr.  Parsons,  of  Nicomedia,  and  Mr. 
Leonard,  of  Marsovan.  The  subject  of  self-support  has,  how 
ever,  received  much  attention  within  the  last  few  years  from  all 


*  At  the  present  writing,  the  out-stations  depending  upon  Harpoot 
alone  are  seventy-nine  in  number.  Besides  the  two  Training-schools 
and  the  Normal  School  at  the  city,  numbering  over  one  hundred 
pupils,  there  are  eighty-eight  common  schools,  with  three  thousand 
one  hundred  and  twenty  pupils  ;  twenty-two  churches,  mostly  self-sup 
porting,  with  a  membership  of  over  eleven  hundred  (one  hundred  and 
twenty-six  received  on  profession  during  the  year).  The  entire 
number  of  pastors,  preachers,  teachers,  and  other  helpers,  is  seven 
hundred  and  ninety-eight:  and  the  amount  of  money  contributed 
by  the  various  Protestant  communities  for  the  support  and  extension 
of  their  own  institutions,  in  this  one  field,  during  the  last  year,  was 
$6,868.  And  the  two  churches  trained  by  Mr.  Walker  at  Diarbekir 
and  Kutterbul— having  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight 
members— with  the  Protestant  community  in  the  city,  contributed  for 
the  Cause  of  Christ  in  1866  the  sum  of  $1,150  in  gold,  supporting  all 
their  own  institutions,  and  aiding  in  active  missionary  work. 


694  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


the  members  of  that  Mission,   giving  promise  of  greater  ad 
vance  in  the  future. 

FINAL  WORK,  AND  FAREWELL  OFFERINGS. 
The  daily  strength  scarcely  sufficed  for  the  daily  labor  in 
the  school-room,  as  the  months  went  on  ;  and  many  of  those 
"  Blessed  Lessons  "  were  followed  by  such  extreme  prostra 
tion,  that,  as  I  slowly  crawled  up  to  the  quiet  room  on  the 
roof,  after  a  season  of  elevation  which  had  made  me  un 
conscious  whether,  as  the  Apostle  says,  I  was  "  in  the  body 
or  out  of  the  body,"  the  words  of  the  poet  seemed  very  ap 
propriate  : — 

"  Then  down  again  to  earth  I  fall, 

And  from  my  low  dust  cry, 
'Twas  not  in  my  wing,  Lord,  but  THINE, 
That  I  got  up  so  high  !  " 

In  view  of  leaving  Armenia,  with  no  expectation  of  a  re 
turn,  I  was  strongly  impelled  to  gather  up  the  instructions 
given  to  my  pupils  during  the  past  years,  and  preserve  them 
in  a  permanent  form  for  their  use  in  years  to  come.  Such  a 
work  would  prove  a  kind  of  Legacy  and  Love-token  more 
precious  than  any  other  gift,  since  into  it  would  go  a  part  of 
my  life,  my  very  self!  This  was  commenced,  and  occupied 
many  hours  of  the  Winter,  but  was  laid  aside  for  other  labor 
till  the  Spring  was  well  advanced.  And  then,  certain  hours 
of  every  day  were  devoted  to  what  was  entitled  "  Loving 
Counsels  for  the  Christian  Women  of  Turkey ;"  and  the 
wife  of  Parson  Marderos  came  over  at  those  times,  to  aid 
in  giving  it  the  purest  Armenian  construction,*  and  to  make 
a  clean  copy,  at  my  dictation. 

*  Such  aid  is  always  requisite   in   foreign  Missionary  work  of  this 
kind.     Noonia  had  lately  completed  an  excellent  translation  of  Dr. 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN  ARMENIA.  695 

This  book  was  at  first  intended  solely  for  those  who  had 
been  under  my  instruction  in  the  schools  at  Constantinople 
and  Harpoot.  -But  when  Pastor  Marderos  and  others  learned 
of  it,  they  desired  that  the  scope  of  the  work  might  be  so  en 
larged  as  to  take  in  all  the  Christianized  Armenian  women  of 
the  country ;  which  was  done.  The  work  was  completed,  and 
submitted  for  criticism  and  approval  to  one  of  the  mission 
aries,  who,  with  Pastor  Marderos,  read  it  through  a  day  or 
two  before  my  departure ;  the  latter  expressing  his  pleasure 
and  gratification  with  the  language,  the  subject-matter,  and 
the  style.  He  repeatedly  expressed  his  thanks,  and  the 
hope  that  it  would  prove  very  useful,  and  a  great  blessing 
to  his  countrywomen,  among  whom  he  should  labor  to  have 
it  widely  circulated,  as  a  "  CHRISTIAN  MANUAL/'  to  aid 
them  in  their  work  for  souls. 


Goodell's  Sermons,  from  Turkish  into  Armenian,  without  any  aid  or 
necessary  revision  by  others  ;  and  B.  Garabed,  the  young  assistant  in 
the  Seminary  (who  aided  in  preparing  the  "  Key  to  Open  the  Bible  "), 
not  long  ago  made  an  admirable  translation  of  "  Day's  Algebra,"  in 
the  Armenian  language,  for  the  use  of  the  students. 


696 


THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 


LOVING     COUNSELS 


^tiaq     Women    of 

IN  THE    ARMENIAN   LANGUAGE. 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS* 

LETTER — To  my  Pupilsf — scattered  by  the  Bosphorus,  the 
Mediterranean,  Marmora,  and  Black  Seas,  and  on 
the  shores  of  the  Rivers  Euphrates  and  Tigris — Intro 
ductory PAGE  9 

CHAPTER  I.  Your  Calling-  and  Responsibility 1 1 

II.   The  Fulfilment  of  these  Obligations 16 

III.  Where  to  Begin  Ycur  Work 21 

IV.  The   Ordering  of  the    Household 26 

"        V.  Your  Duties  as  Wives 37 

"      VI.  Your  Duties  as  Mothers 47 

"    VII.   Your  Duties  as  Neighbors 64 

"  VIII.  Your  Duties  as  Teachers 74 


*  The  "Introduction"  printed  in  English,  is  a  literal  translation  of  the  Note  to 
Pastors,  for  the  benefit  of  those  missionaries  who  do  not  understand  Armenian,  but 
whose  aid  is  sought  in  its  circulation. 

t  LOVING  COUNSELS  TO  THE  CHRISTIAN  WOMEN  OF  TURKEY  is  the  title  of  a  beauti 
ful  volume  in  the  Armenian  language,  put  in  type  and  printed  at  the  Tract  House, 
New  York.  Copies  of  it  have  already  reached  their  destination  ancl  begun  their 
work.  A  letter  just  received  from  one  of  the  lady  missionaries  at  Constantinople 
expresses  the  warmest  gratitude  for  this  welcome  addition  to  their  short  list  of  read 
ing  books,  and  describes  their  mode  of  using  it— in  Sabbath  evening  exercises,  at  each 
of  which  a  few  pages  are  first  read,  and  then  made  the  theme  of  free  conversation 
between  teacher  and  pupils.  It  promises  to  do  a  great  work  among  the  women  of 
Asia,  [two  hundred  of  whom  were  trained  in  the  Constantinople  and  Harpcot  schools 
by  the  author]  and  rich  returns  are  already  coming  in  letters  of  the  warmest  gratitude, 
from  those  who  have  received  and  read  the  copies  sent  them  (as  a  present),  from  their 
former  teacher. — American  Messenger. 

The  funds  for  the  publication  of  this  Armenian  book  were  mostly  contributed  by 
benevolent  friends  ;  the  largest  sum,  two  hundred  dollars,  being  given  by  Plymouth 
Church,  Brooklyn,  and  the  next  largest,  one  hundred  dollars,  by  the  Sunday-school 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Palmyra,  New  York. 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  697 


CHAP.  IX.  What  \Vork  for  Christ  Involves PAGE     90 

K.  What  Work  for  Christ  Requires 109 

"      XI.  Means  for  Putting  in  Practice  these  Requirements   135 

"     XII.  Plan  of  Christian  Work 173 

Under  Separate  Heads — Sunday-schools,  Chil 
dren's  Meetings,  Mothers'  Meetings,  Prayer- 
meetings,  Soul-loving  Societies,  with  Special 
Directions  for  Conducting  Them,  Pledges, 
Constitutions,  etc. 

"  XIII.  The  Joy  and  Reward  of  this  Work 204 

"  XIV.  Appeal,  and  Conclusions 224 

SECOND    PART— OF    THIRTY   PAGES. 

Counsels — Concerning  Health,  Cleanliness,  and 
How  to  Care  for  the  Sick,  of  which  4,000  cop 
ies  are  printed  in  Tract  form,  for  general  cir 
culation. 


UMMKJ  MT, 


•uurur 


u  in/  r  i»  *b  v.  v  b  i>  ^  s  i1 1  - ll  b  ix 

1874 


SOWING   AXI>    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  699 


July  has  come  with  its  debilitating  heat.  The  early  morn 
ing  ride  upon  the  Hartpoot  hills  (after  many  a  sleepless  night), 
imparts  fresh  vigor  for  the  new  day.  It  is  pleasant  to  pause 
upon  those  summits,  and  see  the  shepherds  bringing  out  their 
flocks,  some  of  the  horned  sheep  have  the  immense  tails  men 
tioned  by  Herodotus,  with  the  "  little  carnages"  or  frame-work 
upon  wheels,  to  support  the  heavy  burden,  and  delightful  to 
offer  the  morning  sacrifice  where  sacred  thoughts,  like  angels, 
come  appealing  to  our  tent  door,  and  we  hear, 

•"  In  each  faint  stirring  of  the  breeze, 
God's  voice  among  the  trees." 

The  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Mission  is  convened  in  the  rooms 
below  ;  but  I  am  in  the  midst  of  "  packing  "  in  the  "  prophets' 
chamber"  upon  the  house-top,  interrupted  every  now  and 
then  by  a  tap  at  the  door :  The  faithful  Maranos  comes  in 
with  her  heart  too  full  for  words ;  suddenly  she  slips  a  gold 
ring  (engraven  with  her  initials  and  my  name)  upon  my  finger, 
and  saying,  *'  Wear  it  all  your  life  to  remember  me  !"  bursts 
into  tears,  and  rushes  to  the  window  to  control  her  feelings. 
Her  history  is  one  of  many  that  would  help  to  swell  a  vql- 
ume  beyond  its  proper  limit.  The  first  of  a  large  family  to 
find  Christ,  she  suffered  bitter  persecution  at  their  hands,  till 
at  last  one  after  another  had  accepted  Him  for  their  Portion. 

She  had  received  some  instruction  at  Arabkir,  and  was  ad 
mitted  to  the  school  in  Harpoot  at  the  time  of  my  arrival. 
Her  expressive  and  intelligent  face  glowed  with  pleasure  as  she 
said,  when  giving  me  her  welcome,  "  I  prayed  to  the  Lord  for 
years,  to  send  me  to  your  school  at  Constantinople ;  but  in 
stead,  He  brought  jjw/  here  !  "  And  once  when  I  was  sad  and 
weary,  she  came  to  my  room,  and  said,  "  I  came  to  tell  you, 


7CO  THE    ROMANCE    OF    MISSIONS. 

for  your  encouragement,  that  if  the  Lord  brought  you  here  for 
nothing  else,  it  must  have  been  for  me  !"  Her  personal  de 
formity  (from  curvature  of  the  spine)  prevented  her  marriage, 
and  saved  her  for  a  work  which  few  Armenian  women  were  so 
well  fitted  to  accomplish. 

Next  came  Nazloo  and  her  mother.  Nazloo,  always  modest 
and  retiring,  could  not  say  a  word,  but  sat  with  the  silent  tears 
streaming  down  her  cheeks.  After  a  little  conversation,  her 
good  mother  remarked,  "You  are  very  busy,  and  we  will  not 
hinder  your  work.  Pmt  Nazloo  wishes  to  present  you  with  a 
token  of  remembrance  and  love  ;  "  handing  me  a  little  package 
done  up  in  tissue-paper  and  tied  with  gay  ribbon.  To  my 
great  surprise,  it  contained  a  pair  of  silver  scissors,  beautifully 
chased,  and  engraved  with  her  name  and  my  own  ;  and  a 
silver  thimble,  likewise  engraved.  "She  wanted  to  give  yon 
something  which  would  be  often  in  your  hands/'  said  Briskigha, 
"  and  told  her  father  to  have  the  rim  and  plain  part  of  the 
thimble  made  of  gold.  '  That  will  cost  a  great  deal  of  money  ! ' 
he  said  ;  and  Nazloo  answered,  '  I  don't  care  if  it  costs  a 
hundred  piastres,  for  my  teacher'1 .'  " 

.  And  when  they  had  left  the  room,  she  returned  to  whisper 
in  my  ear  a  secret — since  I  was  going  away  :  her  daughter  was 
about  to  be  betrothed  to  a  preacher — a  young  widower  from 
another  part  of  the  field,  who  had  been  attracted  by  her  use 
fulness  in  Christian  work.  This  was  news  indeed  concerning 
Nazloo!  And  as  I  continued  the  packing,  my  mind  traveled 
back  to  the  time  when  (as  a  day  scholar)  she  was  so  un 
promising  and  almost  vicious  that  the  missionaries  fre 
quently  urged  her  dismissal  from  school.  One  day  she  had 
behaved  worse  than  usual,  disregarding  the  rules,  coming  to  her 
clas?,  after  repealed  calls,  with  sullen  looks  and  stamping  feet, 


SO \VING   AND    REAPING    IN    ARMENIA.  70! 

and  was  told  to  icmain  af;er  school.  When  all  had  retired, 
I  called  her  to  my  desk,  and  said,  "  Nazloo,  I  am  distressed 
about  you  ;  I  see  that  you  have  no  love  for  your  school,  or  for 
your  teacher!"  and  as  my  eyes  filled  with  tears,  I  hurried 
away  and  left  her  standing  there.  There  was  no  school  the 
next  day,  it  being  Saturday,  but  I  received  a  note  from  Naz 
loo, —  written  in  singular  hieroglyphics,  and  with  rather 
peculiar  orthography  (for  she  was  in  the  primary  class),  but 
saying,  "/  do  love  you,  Varzhoohi !  Now  to  prove  it,  let  me 
tell  you  that  whenever,  on  Sundays,  I  have  to  stay  at  home  to 
care  for  the  baby,  I  always  ask  my  mother  whether  the  Var 
zhoohi  was  there  ;  and  if  she  says  '  No,'  then  I  am  very  anxious 
lest  you  are  ill  ! " 

From  that  day  her  conduct,  and -it  seemed  her  character 
also,  underwent  an  entire  change.  The  knowledge  that  her 
lore  was  prized  seemed  to  have  opened  her  heart  as  if  by 
magic;  and  for  the  remaining  two  years  of  her  pupilship  she 
never  needed  reproof.  Her  love  for  the  "  Varzhoohi  "  was 
very  marked  (she  often  came  over,  from  the  other  side  of 
the  city  for  a  visit,  and  only  wanted  to  1  ear  the  "  loving  coun 
sels  "  which  were  frequently  given  in  the  five  or  ten  minutes 
that  intervened  ere  I  was  called  to  some  other  employment)  ; 
and  the  frequency  of  her  letters  to  Diarbekir,  during  my 
stay  there,  caused  many  a  smile  and  pleasant  remark  from 
the  Station  postmaster.  Her  mind  was  not  of  the  largest 
calibre,  and  her  personal  appearance  was  unprepossessing ; 
one  eye  was  blind,  and  her  face  was  corrugated  with  the  ravages 
of  small-pox.  But  though  excessively  quiet  and  unpretending, 
Nazloo  left  the  school  to  show  an  efficiency  and  persistent 
energy  for  which  none  of  us  had  given  her  credit. 

She   gathered    the  children    of  the  neighborhood    into  her 


702  THE    ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

mother's  kitchen,  for  a  school-room,  till  it  could  contain  no 
more.  A  room  was  then  secured  for  her  by  the  missionaries, 
and  I  found  on  my  first  visit  sixty  boys  and  girls  learning  to 
read,  write,  sing,  and  learn  something  of  arithmetic  and  geog 
raphy.  As  a  disciplinarian,  she  was  a  marvel  of  success. 
There  was  no  appearance  of  power ;  no  outward  show  of  any 
kind  ;  but  in  some  magical  way  her  pupils  had  learned  the  diffi 
cult  lesson  of  obedience.  As  the  wife  of  a  preacher  of  the 
Gospel  in  a  distant  town  of  Armenia,  Nazloo  is  now  filling 
a  sphere  of  more  widely  extended  influence. 

Among  the  last  of  the  many  who  brought  their  little  fare 
well  offerings  was  a  company  of  twenty-six  women  who  had 
been  but  a  short  time  under  instruction.  Most  of  them  were 
really  very  poor ;  having  in  their  scanty  wardrobe  but  two 
print  dresses,  and  often  going  with  bare  feet.  After  saying  a 
few  parting  words  to  each,  I  expected  them  to  go,  when  one 
stepped  forward,  and  in  the  name  of  all,  presented  me  with  a 
little  offering,  saying,  "  You  are  worthy  of  a  better  gift  ;  but 
this  is  all  we  have  to  bestow.  We  have  put  our  paras  together 
to  have  it  made,  and  we  want  you  to  eat  your  soup  with  it  as 
long  as  you  live!  The  Master  reward  you  at  the  Last  Day!" 
It  was  a  silver  soup-spoon,  made  by  a  native  silversmith,  with 
a  basket  of  flowers  embossed  on  one  side  of  the  handle,  and  on 
the  reverse  this  inscription  in  Armenian — "  From  the  (women) 
pupils  of  the  Harpoot  Female  Theological  *  Seminary,  as  a 
token  of  remembrance,  etc.,  etc."  J5ut  all  this  was  a 
wonderful  turning  of  tables  for  a  missionary  !  I  remembered 
very  well  hearing  a  coarse  but  grateful  village  girl  newly  re 
ceived  into  the  Mission  School  at  Hasskeuy,  call  out  to  her 

*  Since  the  other  school  rejoiced  in  that  high-sounding  title, 
tliey,  too,  must  have  it  affixed  to  their  own,  it  sounded  so  grandly  ! 


SOWING   AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  703 


companion,  "  Mariam,  I  am  going  to  make  the  Varzhoohi  a 
present !  "  And  the  reply,  "  Nonsense ;  what  for  do  you 
make  her  a  present?  It  is  her  place  to  make  us  presents  !" 
And  the  experience  of  rny  predecessors,  as  well  as  my  own  (at 
the  Capital),  confirmed  my  conviction  that  the  wisest  course 
was  to  avoid  everything  in  the  way  of  temporal  aid : — That 
the  people  might  learn  to  look  upon  us  only  as  Religious 
Teachers,  and  not  be  actuated  by  selfish  motives.  Nazloo 
had  never  received  at  my  hands  anything  but  love  and  teach 
ing.  And  I  had  never  seen  a  Turkish  or  Armenian  lady, 
however  rich,  using  other  than  a  steel  or  iron  thimble  ;  and 
silver  spoons  (and  scissors  that  would  only  cut  paper !)  were 
an  unheard-of  luxury.  But  the  love  and  the  gratitude  em 
bodied  in  those  offerings,  made  them  more  precious  than  piles 
of  that  gold  and  silver  which  "  perish  with  the  using  !  "  .  .  . 
.  .  .  .  It  is  hard  to  break  away  from  ties  that  tug  so  pow 
erfully  at  one's  heart  !  .  .  .  Kitoobh,  the  Bible  woman  at 
Diarbekir,  writes,  "  Would  that  your  America  were  Diarbekir ! 
You  would  find  much  work  to  do  for  Christ."  And  after  re 
counting  the  encouraging  results  of  "  our  first  work  together  in 
visiting  from  house  to  house,  and  persuading  the  women  to  learn 
to  read  the  Bible  for  themselves,"  she  adds,  "  We  much  desired 
your  presence  with  us  this  Winter.  The  sisters  do  not  forget  your 
counsels.  Again  and  again  do  they  desire  to  hear  them,  for 

they  love  you  much If  you  see  Mrs.  Walker  in 

America,  remember  us  to  her,  with  loving  salutations.  We 
cannot  forget  her.  Her  labors  for  us  and  her  kindnesses  were 
innumerable.  The  Lord  be  to  her  a  support  (a  back)  and  a 
refuge,  and  comfort  her  under  all  circumstances.  .  .  Pray 
for  me — the  weak  one — that  in  the  houses  to  which  I  go,  and 
in  the  words  I  speak,  I  may  be  unceasingly  useful.  The  Lord 


704  THE    ROMANCE   OF    MISSIONS. 


be  with  you  !"  More  than  a  year  ago,  a  letter  was  received 
from  the  brethren  at  Diarbekir — signed  by  many  names — beg 
ging  the  "Varzhoohi"  to  come  and  labor  among  their  families; 
and  offering,  in  the  absence  of  a  missionary  home,  to  provide 
for  my  wants  and  care  for  my  comfort  in  every  possible  way. 
The  appeal  was  very  affecting  ;  and  it  cost  a  struggle  to  return 
a  negative  answer  to  those  warm-hearted  and  needy  souls,  be 
reft  of  their  missionary  teachers. 

The  last  word  said,  the  last  look  given  of  those  whom  we 
might  never  again  meet  this  side  Heaven  (alas!  the  eldest  and  the 
youngest  of  that  dear  circle  of  missionaries — Dr.  Williams  and 
Miss  Warfield— with  whom  we  had  taken  such  sweet  counsel, 
were  not  long  to  linger  on  earth),  and  we  left  the  great  com 
pany  who  had  escorted  us  out  of  the  City,  and  passed  beyond 

the  bounds  of  old  Armenia Our  route  to 

Constantinople  lay  over  mountains  infested  with  lawless  bands 
of  brigands ;  and  the  night  after  leaving  Arabkir  (where  we  spent 
the  Sabbath  and  held  meetings)  we  unwittingly  tented  by  a 
village  of  robbers.  In  fact,  some  of  them  were  employed  as  a 
guard  ;  and  after  receiving  their  baksheesh,  followed  and  inter 
cepted  us  when  but  two  or  three  hours  out.  Mr.  Henry 
Schauffler  (having  come  from  Stamboul  as  a  delegate  to  the 
Annual  Meeting  of  the  Eastern  Mission)  was  my  escort.  He 
wore  a  Colt's  revolver  in  his  belt,  and  our  three  or  four  mule 
teers  each  carried  a  gun,  and  we  had  a  footman  as  guard,  who 
was  well  armed.  Presently,  while  he  was  parleying  in  Koordish 
with  the  first  of  the  marauding  party,  six  horsemen,  armed  to 
the  teeth,  rushed  out  from  a  pass  in  the  mountains  and 
advanced  upon  us.  A  more  fierce  and  wicked-looking  set  of 
men  I  had  never  seen  ;  and  who  could  tell  what  might  be  our 
fate  at  their  hands  in  that  desolate  region  !  Not  a  wor,d  was 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  705 

uttered  (except  by  the  guard  and  the  scout),  and  shoulder  to 
shoulder  our  men  marched  on,  while  the  advancing  party 
halted  and  surveyed  our  strength. 

Suddenly  the  leader  gave  a  signal,  and  quick  as  thought 
they  darted  into  the  deep  defile  of  the  mountain,  leaving  us  to 
go  on  our  way  rejoicing  at  our  escape.  "Had  they  not  been 
satisfied  that  you  were  genuine  and  not  make-believe  Franks," 
said  the  guard,  "  you  would  not  have  escaped  so  easily.  But 
they  were  afraid  of  that/wr//" — The  English  government  fol 
lows  up  any  insult  shown  to  its  subjects  with  great  vigilance, 
and  a  whole  village  might  have  to  suffer,  even  if  the  offenders 
were  not  caught ! — "Keep  close  together,"  said  the  men,  as  we 
passed  over  other  mountains,  sometimes  so  steep  of  ascent 
that  I  dared  not  ride,  and  almost  feared  that  my  horse  would 
topple  over  backward.  There  were  fearful  passes  around 
rocky  gorges,  at  such  a  height  that  it  made  one's  heart  stand 
still ;  and  after  we  had  descended,  the  guide  would  say :  "  Do 
you  see  those  mountains  with  their  heads  in  the  clouds  ?  Well, 
our  path  lies  right  over  them  !  "  — The  selection  of  the  route 
had  been  generously  left  to  me  ;  and  with  the  knowledge  of 
its  dangers,  this  was  chosen  not  only  because  it  was  cooler,  but 
it  also  afforded  an  opportunity  of  visiting  portions  of  the  field 
not  yet  seen.  At  Divrick  Mr.  Schauffler  went  to  the  Governor 
to  secure  a  mounted  guard;  and  while  sitting  in  the  outer  room 
of  the  pastor's  house,  I  noticed  that  two  of  the  children  ap 
peared  very  feeble.  Mr.  Schauffler  had  returned,  and  while 
talking  with  the  father,  kindly  laid  his  hand  upon  the  head  of 
the  infant,  just  brought  in,  not  noticing  the  eruption  upon  its 
face,  when  I  inquired  the  nature  of  the  disease,  and  said  to 
the  young  missionary,  who  was  going  home  to  his  wife  and 
four  little  children  :  "  Take  care  !  The  child  has  the  SMALL- 
30* 


706  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

POX  !  "  He  started  as  if  stung  by  a  scorpion.  "Why  did  you 
not  tell  me  ?  "  he  sternly  demanded  of  the  preacher.  And 
he,  good  man,  laughed  at  the  idea  of  any  one  being  afraid  of 
small-pox  !  But  our  quarters  were  quickly  changed  ;  and  that 
evening  we  had  a  meeting  here  also  with  the  little  company 
of  Protestant  women  belonging  to  that  place. 

A  few  days  were  spent  at  Sivas,  where  we  found  the  work  in 
a  very  low  state,  and  an  Armenian  school  for  girls,  taught  by 
a  "  mistress  "  from  France  that  "  when  they  died  that  would 
be  the  end  of  them  ";  learning  to  dance,  to  trill  operatic  airs, 
and  read  translations  of  Voltaire's  infidel  works  !  Alas,  alas  ! 
Thence  to  Yozgat ;  where,  during  the  week,  besides  various 
meetings  with  the  women,  the  brethren  flocked  to  hear  of  the 
work  in  and  around  Harpoot :  and  from  Yozgat  to  Cesarea,  in 
Cappadocia,  where  a  two  or  three  weeks'  stay  with  the  Mis 
sionaries —  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Farnsworth,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bartlett, 
Mrs.  Giles,  and  Miss  Closson — showed  a  great  field,  and  much 
work.  I  was  particularly  interested  in  the  little  village  of  Moon- 
jasoon,  where  the  Protestants  had,  in  their  "  first  love,"  built 
a  gem  of  a  chapel,  now  too  small  to  accommodate  the  in 
creased  number ;  and  the  women,  who  seemed  remarkably 
intelligent  and  spiritual,  said,  as  I  was  leaving — after  a  night 
spent  with  them  and  a  meeting  to  which  the  brethren  begged 
to  come,  and  were  willing  to  take  the  seats  behind  the  sisters 
while  I  told  them  of  CHRIST'S  WORK  in  Diarbekir  and  Harpoot 
— "We  have  been  talking  over  how  we  can  increase  an  inter 
est  in  the  cause  of  Christ  among  us  ;  and  are  going  to  fine 
every  sister  who  does  not  come  to  our  weekly  prayer-meeting, 
three  piastres  each  time  ! " 

In  Cesarea,  I  found  two  of  my  former  Constantinople 
pupils,  one  the  wife  of  the  pastor;  and  as  at  Yozgat,  there  was 


SOWING  AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  707 

a  continual  stream  of  callers,  from  noon  until  a  late  hour  at 
night — helpers,  brethren  and  sisters — to  hear  of  the  work  at 
Harpoot.  The  Missionary  families  were  spending  the  Summer  at 
Talas,  two  hours  from  the  city,  and  their  accommodations  were 
so  limited  that  my  resting-place  at  night  was  an  alcove  in  the 
hall,  with  a  sheet  hung  before  it.  The  stable  was  on  the  other 
side,  and  an  open  sewer  under  the  window  ;  and  with  the 
snoring  of  two  lusty  Armenians  at  one  end  of  the  hall,  and  the 
constant  companionship  of  tormenting  fleas,  sleep  was  almost 
an  impossibility ;  and  my  already  diminished  vitality  went 
down,  down,  day  after  day,  to  a  very  low  ebb.  But  during  the 
two  weeks'  stay,  we  visited  several  old  Greek  and  Armenian 
monasteries  bearing  the  names  of  St.  John,  and  Basil,  whose 
birth-place — as  also  that  of  "Gregory  the  Illuminator"  was  in 
that  region  ;  and  the  monks,  with  whom  we  conversed,  were 
much  surprised  because  I  declined  the  offered  cigarette,  and 
rakee.  Their  questions  about  America,  and  concerning  the 
pecuniary  compensation  received  for  our  Missionary  labors, 
showed  an  ignorance  and  a  lack  of  capacity  to  comprehend 
such  work  only  a  shade  less  deplorable  than  that  of  many  at 
home  who  pride  themselves  upon  their  broad  culture  and  pro 
found  wisdom  ! 

Mr.  Schauffler  had  hastened  to  Stamboul,  and  on  the  return 
to  Yozgat  and  thence  to  Marsovan,  I  made  my  first  essay  in  a 
wheeled  conveyance — a  sort  of  Express-wagon  sent  out  by 
the  friends  of  Mr.  Bartlett.  There  were  no  real  roads,  and 
often  in  crossing  rough  places,  among  the  rocks,  we  all 
alighted,  and  with  great  tugging  the  wagon  was  brought 
through.  One  day  Mr.  Bartlett  had  just  pointed  out  the 
narrow  paths  amid  the  brushwood  of  a  mountain  beyond  the 
stream  which  flowed  at  our  right,  saying  :  "  Those  are  the  paths 


70S  THE    ROMANCE    OF   MISSIONS. 


by  which  the  robbers  come  down  and  catch  unwary  travelers  ; 
for  this  is  the  most  dangerous  part  of  the  road  !  "  when,  as  we 
were  leaning  to  the  upper  side  of  the  wagon  in  going  over  a 
side  hill,  one  of  the  wheels  suddenly  crushed  under,  and  we 
were  thrown  over  !  A  heavy  trunk  and  other  baggage  fastened 
me  down,  and  had  the  horses  started,  my  position  would 
have  been  perilous.  With  great  difficulty  we  made  our  way  to 
a  neighboring  Turkish  town,  where  the  people  gathered  around 
us  in  crowds,  and  while  they  w-ere  gazing  and  chattering  over  our 
strange  appearance,  all  made  way  for  a  noble  young  Turk,  who 
was  a  very  Apollo  for  beauty  !  Tall,  admirably  proportioned, 
of  fine  classic  features,  dark  eyes  that  shone  with  a  mild 
lustre,  and  a  brown  curling  beard  of  silky  softness,  with  a 
dimple  playing  on  his  cheek  as  he  spoke,  adding  to  the  expres 
sion  of  dignity  and  sweetness  combined,  as  he  bade  us  wel 
come,  and  offered  us  any  assistance  in  his  power. 

He  was  evidently  a  person  of  rank  and  power,  and  his  green 
turban  bespoke  him  a  lineal  descendant  of  the  Prophet.*  The 
break-down  delayed  our  journey,  and  our  friends  at  Marsovan, 
who  came  out  in  great  numbers  to  meet  us  for  two  successive 
evenings,  were  sorely  disappointed.  But  what  a  welcome 
was  that  which  we  received,  when,  at  ten  o'clock  of  that  Oc- 


*  The  day  after  my  arrival  in  the  country,  I  started  out  with  the 
company — fresh  from  America,  after  a  thirty  days'  passage  in  the 
good  barque  "Sultana" — to  visit  the  tomb  of  Polycarp  on  Castle 
Hill,  in  Smyrna.  My  dress,  gloves,  scarf,  and  veil  were  of  the  "  ortho 
dox  color,"  the  sacred  green  of  the  Turk,  which  none  but  the  lineal 
descendants  of  Mahomet  may  wear.  The  walk  proved  very  long  ;  and 
when  returning  through  the  Turkish  quarter  (the  nearest  route)  the 
stones  flew  so  thickly  and  unerringly  around  my  devoted  head,  that 
we  all  took  refuge  in  speedy  flight  !  It  was  my  first  experience  of 
persecution,  not  for  "  righteousness'  sake,"  but  because  I  was  literally 


SCKVING   AND    REAPING   IN   ARMENIA.  709 

tober  evening,  chilled  and  exhausted,  we  found  our  way 
through  the  dark,  dismal  streets  to  the  warmth  and  cheer  of  a 
Missionary  home,  where  loving  hands  grasped  ours,  and  tears 
were  mingled  with  smiles,  as  memories  of  the  past  were  re 
vived  at  the  sight  of  dear,  familiar  faces  ! 

A  few  short  weeks  of  tarrying  with  those  friends  afforded 
a  fresh  survey  of  their  work — which  had  steadily  been  build 
ing  upon  the  true  foundations  ;  the  two  Training-Schools  pre 
paring  and  yearly  sending  forth  workers  for  all  the  adjoin 
ing  fields.  And,  under  the  blessing  of  God  upon  Mrs. 
Leonard's  increased  attendance  upon  the  sick,  every  house 
in  the  town,  of  both  Armenians  and  Turks,  seemed  open  to 
receive  the  Gospel ;  and  many  were  led  to  accept  the  truth. 
Of  the  hundreds  treated  by  this  medically-untrained  sister, 
for  typhus  and  other  fevers  and  diseases — not  one  case  has 
been  lost !  The  people  think  it  almost  miraculous,  saying  to 

Mrs.  L.,  "  Those  whom  your  hand  touches  recover  !  " 

The  last  stage  of  the  journey  to  old  Stamboul  was  com 
menced,  in  company  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herrick,  crossing 

the  Black  Sea  in  a  Russian  steamer "  Yes,"  said 

the  portly  Russian  General  who,  with  his  staff,  promenaded 
the  deck,  in  conversation  with  the  scholarly  and  faithful 
missionary — whose  motto  had  ever  been  "  Fidelity  to  Duty  " 
— "Yes,  if  our  Government  should  take  possession  of 
Turkey,  every  Missionary  would  be  sent  out  of  the  country ! 
for  Russia  will  not  tolerate  any  proselytising  within  her  do 
minions!"  And  if  she  should,  it  might  not  be  the  worst 
thing  that  could  happen  to  the  Protestants,  we  thought ; 
for  the  Gospel  leaven  has  been  widely  diffused,  and  the 
Armenian  Christians,  if  left  to  themselves  and  God,  might 
develop  and  grow  as  did  the  Christians  of  Madagascar, 


7IO  THE   ROMANCE   OF   MISSIONS. 

when  hunted  and  persecuted  till  they  dared  not  pray  or 
read  aloud,  in  their  hiding-places,  yet  preserving  the  Word 
of  God  in  their  hearts,  and  daily  increasing  in  strength  and 
numbers:  —  And  when,  in  the  "fulness  of  time,"  that 
heathen  government  \vas  swept  away  by  the  Hand  of  God, 
lo !  a  Christian  Nation  was  born  ! 

"  After  this  I  beheld,  and  lo,  a  great  multitude  which  no 
man  could  number,  of  ALL  NATIONS,  and  KINDREDS,  and 
PEOPLE,  and  TONGUES,  stood  before  the  throne,  and  before 
the  Lamb,  clothed  with  white  robes,  and  palms  in  their  hands  : 

These    are    they    which    came    out     of    great 

tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  robes  and  made  them 
white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  : — THEREFORE  are  they 
before  the  throne  of  God,  and  serve  Him  day  and  night 
in  His  temple,  and  He  that  sitteth  on  the  throne,  shall 
dwell  among  them.  They  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither 
thirst  any  more ;  neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  them,  or  any 
heat.  For  the  Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne 
shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto  living  fountains  of 
waters  :  And  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes." 


RETURN TO: 


CIRCULATION  DEPARTMENT 
198  Main  Stacks 


LOAN  PERIOD     1 
Home  Use 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS. 

Renewals  and  Recharges  may  be  made  4  days  prior  to  the  due  date. 
Books  may  be  renewed  by  calling  642-3405. 

DUE  AS  STAMPED  BELOW. 


FORM  NO.  DD6 
50M    4-04 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY 
Berkeley,  California  94720-6000 


